From the Gospel of Matthew    5 

A Centurion with Great Faith (Mt 8:5 13) 

     But the centurion answered him, `Lord, I am not worthy to have you 

come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 

For I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, 

 Go,  and he goes, and to another,  Do this,  and he does it.' When Jesus 

heard him, he marveled, and said to those who followed him, `Truly, I say 

to you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.'   (Mt 8:8 10). 

    Jesus praised the faith of a Roman soldier. The Roman army had 

invaded, conquered, and was occupying the Holy Land of Israel. This 

centurion was a part of that army. He was neither a Christian nor a Jew, yet 

he had great faith. Jesus compares the soldier's faith to the faith of the 

people of Israel, and Israel is found lacking. 

    This is a prophetic event. Jesus meets the centurion in Capernaum, which 

symbolizes a time of great sinfulness in the future. Jesus said,   `And you, 

Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to 

Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it 

would have remained until this day. But I tell you that it shall be more 

tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.'   (Mt 

11:23). 

    Jesus' words refer not only to the place called Capernaum, but also to a 

period of time in the future, the time of Antichrist's reign. At that time, the 

faith of many Christians will be found lacking. Yet, despite the great sins of 

humanity, some will be found outside the visible Church who nevertheless 

have great faith (even among soldiers). 

    And, through the sufferings of the Church, many will be saved who are 

outside the visible Church. Therefore, do not utterly despise your oppressors 

and your persecutors, for by God's grace (and your prayers and sufferings) 

some of these shall repent and be saved. 

A Great Storm on the Sea (Mt 8:23 27) 

     And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was 

being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke 

him, saying, `Save, Lord; we are perishing.' And he said to them, `Why are 

you afraid, O men of little faith?' Then he rose and rebuked the winds and 

the sea; and there was a great calm.  (Mt  8:24 26). 

    This event actually happened to Jesus and His disciples. By God's 

Providence, this experience also foreshadows future events in the Church. 

The boat represents the Church. The storm on the sea represents a time