True faith is trust in God
We often assume that faith comes automatically — if you grew up in a Christian family, belong to a Christian community, or were taught about God from childhood. Today’s Gospel tells us a different story through the example of the centurion.
Those who were close to Christ did not display the faith that Christ praised. Instead, the centurion, a person without a religious upbringing, displayed the faith that Jesus admired. Faith is not a family relic that can simply be passed down. Faith must be accepted and lived out.
Faith becomes real when it permeates our lives and is shown through our concrete actions, especially in moments of uncertainty and devastation. Just like Ukrainians today — those who have left their homes and those in Ukraine whose lives are divided into “before” and “after” the beginning of the war — they especially need to renew their faith in order to find peace and God’s presence.
Our churches and parishes are places where people can come to cry without feeling embarrassed, ask God difficult questions, and bring Him their pain. Just like the centurion, we are called to trust Jesus even in situations we cannot understand.
True faith is trust in God, reliance on Christ despite anything that happens. Because His word has power — just as the centurion in today’s Gospel said: “Just say the word.”A
