First Reading - 1 Corinthians 11:17-26,33
Gospel - Luke 7:1-10
In the first reading, Paul deals with the aberrations and misconceptions regarding the celebration of the Eucharist due to which there occurred a breach in the community between the rich and poor. Paul, in addressing to that difficult and divided community at Corinth, chides them for their disunity and selfishness. There were some rich members of the community, who got to the Eucharist early, took all the best places, and proceeded to unpack their hampers and feast, while the later comers – presumably the workers and slaves – justifiably felt excluded and remained hungry. A shared meal should be the strongest possible expression of unity; it both creates and expresses unity. So in the strongest terms Paul insists that the Eucharist must be the symbol and expression of unity, and that those who prevent it being so are making themselves ‘answerable for the body and blood of the Lord’. Paul seems to use ‘the body of Christ’ interchangeably of both the Eucharistic bread and the Eucharistic body which is the community, united in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.
The second thing that Paul reminds the community is that the Eucharist is the celebration of the mystery of Christ therefore it is the celebration of reminder of the pascal mysteries (passion, death, resurrection of Jesus) which is also the foundation of our faith. Hence, the celebration of the pascal mysteries must be celebrated in a manner that can enrich and sustain faith.
The gospel of the day displays satirical example of a centurion as a paragon of faith that should be emulated by all. How does the faith of the centurian becomes satirical for Jews and Romans? It is because Jews were instructed into their Scriptures, hence they were supposed to recognise Jesus as their Messiah and saviour and put their faith in him but they failed; on the other side, Romans looked down upon Jews and loughted at their expectations of the Messiah. Both the groups are lampooned and mimicked by the astonishing faith of the centurion. The faith of the centurion indeed deserves adulation and praise because as a gentile, he was probably not familiar with the Jewish Scripture, yet he had tremendous faith in Jesus. He acknowledges him as the "Lord" (The title "Lord" was used for God thus the centurion recognised Jesus as God). As a centurion, he was hated by Jews but by his faith he becomes an example for Jews and Romans equally.
Why is the faith of centurion appreciated? It's because of two reasons: firstly, he was fully convinced that his request for the healing of his servant can be done by Jesus, thus he sends some Jewish elders to Jesus; secondly, he trusted in the power of Jesus that by his word itself he can heal his servant. This strikes out as an example of fervent faith which surprised Jesus. Consequently, Jesus grants the centurion's request.
Dear friends, our faith demands our conviction in Jesus. The example of firm conviction we find in the gospel of today, the centurion. Moreover, the conviction in Jesus is certainly sustained through our prayer believing that Jesus is our saviour and in him we are saved.
At times, our prayer becomes mere routine and hence it fails to meet its purpose. The first reading stands out as an example of routine prayer life, consequently missed the essentials of the Eucharist. Therefore, our prayer, as the readings propose, should be the fruit of our conviction. It's in this conviction, we can become fervent in faith. This type of faith will certainly be pleasing to God. Let's overcome the superficiality of prayer and grow to the determined conviction.
May God help us become fervent in faith.
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