MODEL OF FAITH
Filipinos
are fond of having idols. We either have a favorite movie actor or
actress, a favorite writer, a favorite sports personality, and even a
favorite impersonator! We play favorites, yes, and sometimes, we are influenced, consciously or unconsciously, by those whom we idolize.
While having idols is not bad, we need to also help ourselves by way of
asking: “How am I growing in my relationships because of the people I
look up to?” More than anything else, we need to have role models rather
than idols — people we can get inspiration from and motivation to be
better than our best selves.
Our role models need not be the best actors, writers, sport
personalities or impersonators in town. In fact, they are not the best
role models because they hide behind certain general criteria, which
elevate them to the “idol” standards. We need not look too far and beyond to find our role models. They can simply be at home, in school or within the Church.
The Gospel today surprises us with Jesus’ words: “I tell you, not even
in Israel have I found such faith,” and He was referring to a centurion.
Being responsible for the training and discipline of the legionaries
under his command, a centurion has a well-deserved reputation for
dealing out harsh punishment among his subjects. But what do we read in
the Gospel today? The centurion says, “Lord, do not trouble yourself,
for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof. Therefore, I did
not consider myself worthy to come to you; but say the word and let my
servant be healed.” It is the heart of the centurion
speaking, proclaiming his love for his ailing servant.
Find this centurion within you. Like a centurion, you may be the leader
of a hundred or so people, or maybe even only a handful. But the
invitation is the same: to be a leader with a heart for his people, who
truly cares and is humble enough to recognize that he is also under a
greater Leader, one he considers to be his role model. Fr. Erick Y. Santos, OFS
REFLECTION QUESTION: How do you show your love and concern to the little servants under your watch?
Lord, give me the heart of the centurion who humbly sought from You the healing and wellbeing of his lowly subject. Amen.
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