What a marvelous example of servant-leadership we first find in the centurion of today’s Gospel. A centurion is a middle-level officer in the Roman army, who has a contingent of a hundred soldiers assigned to him. He is in charge of them, just as they are at his beck and call. At the same time, a centurion also reports to his higher-level officers in the chain of command.
We see in the centurion’s selfless behavior that he knows his rightful place regarding his request to Jesus on behalf of his servant boy. Moreover, he makes no pretenses about himself, nor does he steal the thunder from others. Such a balanced, humble outlook on his part makes for a model for us, too.
Jesus gives recognition to the centurion with this declaration, “I have never found this much faith in Israel.” And finally, the centurion had the rare opportunity to take his marching orders from the Lord Jesus Himself: “Go home. It shall be done because you trusted.”
Thereby the shift in focus takes place: the centurion goes away and the attention is now on Jesus Christ as Servant-Leader. He continues on a “healing spree” — not so much in the sense of a popular, modern-day faith healer, but rather as the incarnation of Isaiah’s suffering servant. In this sense, He is indeed not just a servant-leader, but the Servant-Leader whom even a Roman army officer (as well as we, of course) can surely emulate. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB
Reflection Question:
As a subordinate, do I fully trust in my superior’s judgment and abilities? As a leader, do I get my subordinate’s trust?
Lord, increase my trust in You who has my best interest in Your heart.
St. Dominic Henares, pray for us.
No comments:
Post a Comment