Fourth Sunday After Pentecost (Rom. 6:18–23; Mt. 8:5–13)

What faith the centurion had! It amazed the Lord Himself. Its essence was that he confessed the Lord to be the God of all things—the all-powerful Master and Commander of all that exists—and therefore asked: only say the word and my servant will be healed. I believe that all things are subject to You and everything obeys Your slightest command. This same faith the Lord required of all people; it is the same faith that is required of us. Whoever possesses such faith lacks nothing and receives whatever he asks. So the Lord Himself has promised. O that we too might find even a trace of such faith! But it too is a gift, and for this gift one must also ask and ask with faith. Let us then ask for it, at the very least with a sense of need for it, asking constantly and persistently, while at the same time helping it to open within us through fitting reflection, and above all through obedience to God’s commandments.