AMAZING CONFIDENCE
The Gospel MATTHEW 8:5-10
As Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him with this request: “Sir, my serving boy is at home in bed paralyzed, suffering painfully.” He said to him, “I will come and cure him.” “Sir,” the centurion said in reply, “I am not worthy to have you under my roof. Just give an order and my boy will get better.”… Jesus showed amazement on hearing this and remarked to his followers, “I assure you, I have never found this much faith in Israel.”   
The Media              "Hey There Delilah" Plain White T's
Based on a true story according to them, the group Plain White T's sing a long distance love song. “Hey, there, Delilah, what’s it like in New York City?” the person in the song begins his thoughts to his girlfriend who is still in school. “I’m a thousand miles away, but girl, tonight you look so pretty. Don’t you worry about the distance. I’m right there if you get lonely. Give this song another listen. I’m by your side. It’s what you do to me. Believe me, someday I’ll pay the bills with this guitar. We’ll have it good. Oh, it's what you do to me." The person in the song is convinced that he will bring about their eventual time together by making money from singing songs. Whether the statement is true or not, there is a real confidence in the love relationship which he says will happen in the future.
The definition of faith is the state of being absolutely convinced that something is true, even though we do not know with scientific certitude that it is. Such is the type of faith that Jesus wanted his followers to have in him and his works. He looks at the pagan centurion in Matthew's Gospel, sees such a faith, and grants his request. The soldier is totally confident that Jesus can do what he wants, and the confidence guides his words and actions.

Confidence and faith in another is one thing when it comes to religious conviction. It is quite another in the love situations in countries where we choose our love partners. Often placing such confidence in another is premature, and ends up hurting us. The reason lies in the very nature of confidence. We really do not know what the other thinks, and we may have all the confidence in our relationship that we need, but the other is not ready yet.

This means that we must be careful in whom we place our confidence. Jesus inspired confidence by what he said and did, and people could easily place their confidence in him, and not worry whether he would be faithful or not. However, in love relationships, we have to be concerned about the person in whom we place confidence. The man in Plain White T's song must be careful in the relationship he has with the lady to whom he is singing. In our relationships we must be careful as we place our confidence and faith in another. But after we have been careful, spending sufficient time in cultivating the love relationship, it is a chance that we must take. Otherwise, romantic love will not happen.                        
THOUGHT
What are the indications that a love relationship will work out?
 
PRAYER
Good and gracious God, people could easily place faith and confidence in your Son. You are always faithful. But as we strive to cultivate the human virtue of confidence in another, especially in romantic situations, we have to take chances. Help us choose our love partners well.  Be with us, we pray. 

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©2007 Capuchin Province of Mid-America
Fr. Mike Scully is a member of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America