Two very famous commercial slogans have shaped our way of life in America. “You deserve a break today,” and “Have it your way,” may sell millions of hamburgers but is this message what we want to be teaching our children? Marketing giants have profited great amounts of money on the prevailing idea that human beings are inherently selfish. In fact studies have shown that our social structure, at least since the early 1970’s, has not only taken advantage of this fact but has encouraged it. We live in a society that doesn’t just tolerate selfishness, it pokes fun at anyone who doesn’t put their own comfort and needs ahead of others.
This is what makes the Gospel so difficult to hear. “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof.” (Matthew 8.8) Today there are few who argue that anyone is worthy of God’s special attention….except of course themselves. Many are quick to admit that “he” or “she” isn’t worthy of God’s love but, “WE sure are!” We would be hard-pressed to find anyone who would say they didn’t think themselves worthy of God’s love. NONE OF US ARE, at least if you believe what you read in Holy Scripture.
And then again, ALL OF US ARE worthy of His love. Just as the centurion confessed his being unworthy of Jesus even walking into his house, the Lord said, “I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel.” (Matthew 8.10) Our Lord makes the time for each of us in our need no matter who we are. We could all learn a lesson from the centurion: “A little less ME and a little more YOU.”
It was humility the Lord blessed in the centurion and it will be our humility He will bless when we learn that it’s not all about us; it’s about HIM.
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