THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

Her Doctrine and Morals

Third Sunday after The Epiphany

26 January 2025

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The Sunday

Sermon

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Dear Friends in Christ,

In the Gospel reading for today (Saint Matthew 8:1-13), we witness the profound compassion of Jesus. As He descended from the mountain, a Leper approached Him, worshipping and saying: "Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou can make me clean." Jesus, in His infinite mercy, willed it, cleansed him, and sent him to the priest to make the offering required by the Law of Moses. Then, in Capharnaum, a Centurian came to Him on behalf of his servant, who was tormented with palsy. When Jesus offered to go to the Centurian's house, the Centurian's faith and humility shone through: "Lord, I am not worthy that Thou should enter under my roof: but only say the word and my servant shall be healed."

In coming down from the mountain, Jesus stoops down to our humanity. The mountain represents the spiritual realm, and He comes to the material realm to heal bodies as well as souls. The first man who suffered from leprosy was an Israelite, and under the Law of Moses, he was one of the chosen people. He followed an interesting method that we see is guided by the Law of Moses. The man with leprosy first adored Jesus. He recognized that Jesus is God because we only worship God. His choice of words is important. He first understands that all that God wills and desires is good, even if we do not understand. "Lord, if thou will it …" He wants to know the will of God concerning his cross of leprosy. Jesus replied: "I will it." The second part of the man's prayer was, "Thou can make me clean," Jesus answered by touching him and saying, "Be thou made clean."

However, it is not over. Jesus instructs him to keep quiet about what he has received from the Hand of God but to show himself to the priest and make the offering required by the Law of Moses. Jesus does not sidestep the Law of Moses but requires its fulfillment. The material works of offerings and sacrifices were necessary for the children of the Law.

When Jesus entered Capharnaum, the Centurian is not said to worship Him but beseeches Him, "Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy and is grievously tormented." After Jesus offers to go to his home and cure the servant, the Centurian displays humility and pure faith. Just say the word, and it will be done.

The Centurian is not of the house of Israel, so he is not required to make the same material offerings or sacrifices required in the Law of Moses. His faith is so great that the works of the Law are unnecessary. Healing his servant does not require showing the servant to the priest or making the offering required by the Law of Moses. The Centurian was not under the Law and, therefore, was not bound to the Law.

A much greater faith was required without the benefits of the Law and the material works. Jesus says of this man, "I have not found so great faith in Israel." The Centurian has risen above the Law by love and faith. Where there is true love, there is no law. All the spiritual requirements of the law are filled by faith and love so that the material things are fulfilled or accomplished naturally without effort rather than by the compulsion of the Law.

Some Catholics may be surprised to learn that the law of the Church requires marriages to be witnessed by a Catholic priest to be valid. However, it's important to understand that non-Catholics can also contract a valid marriage, but not a sacramental one, with a "minister" or some civil authority. The sacraments, including marriage, belong to the Church and are administered and regulated by the Church for those within the Church.

The Law, on the surface, appears oppressive but makes grace easier to obtain and more abundant. God gives grace to everyone, both within the Church and outside the Church, but only those within the Church are able to receive the many sacramental graces. Non-Catholics are not bound to the laws of the Church, but if they are to be saved, they must, without the help of the sacraments, obtain and preserve a perfect love of God (Nothing stained can enter the Kingdom of Heaven.). This profound grace of love of God then leads them to enter the Catholic Church to receive both physically and spiritually the graces of the sacraments that Jesus has given us and declares are necessary for our salvation.

God wills (desires) the salvation of everyone, but He also wills for us to enter the Catholic Church and receive His gifts of the sacraments. The best path for us is in following Him in self-denial and the loving embrace of our daily cross out of love for Him, ourselves, and our neighbors.

May the Immaculate Heart of Mary inspire, guide, and protect us!