I love this passage of scripture and its expanded story within the Gospel of Luke. It has life applications for us as followers of Christ. The centurion has heard of the miracles of healing that are commanded at the very word of Jesus.  He comes to petition the Lord in humility and respect for his authority to grant his request. As a commander of an army of men, he understands how authority needs to be trusted in accomplishing tasks great or small.  He believes that Jesus has the authority and command over forces so as to heal those in need. So, he makes his petition in order to help his sick servant.  

As Christians we proclaim that Jesus is Lord of our lives, but what does that necessarily mean?  Do we trust in His authority to guide our lives in the decisions we make or needs we have?  I ask myself, when petitioning our Lord, do I come with the same humility and trust as the centurion? This outsider understands that he is not worthy of his request or even that Jesus should come under his roof.  Yet, he trusts if Jesus would only say the words, that healing can take place.    

Do I give complete trust of my life to Christ, allowing him to speak to the depths my heart or do I still attempt to maintain control of it?  Am I listening to his authority?  We live in a culture that does not trust authority and remains centered on self.  As disciples of Christ, we are called to relinquish control, and this can be difficult.  The centurion humbly accepts that he cannot do this on his own and submits to One who has the authority to impact lives in ways we do not understand.  He turns his petition over to the One who can and wants to make things happen.  Can we imitate this faith?  

Lord, please help me to be humble in my requests and trust in your goodness, just like this centurion.  Let me see and understand that to relinquish control to your Lordship is what it means to be a follower and child of yours.

Bryce Renner is a layman who came into the Catholic faith two years ago.  After a long journey from Protestantism to Atheism, his discovery and understanding of the Eucharist brought him back home to our Lord.  Now, he wants to help others on similar paths find treasure of Christ’s Church.   He has been married 37 years and has two wonderful adult children.