…‘Contribute to the development and unity of our social and ecclesial community’
Most Rev. Peter Kayode Odetoyinbo has urged Catholic faithful to imitate the selflessness of the Centurion, by being totally selfless in giving all what has been given and entrusted to them. “Like the Centurion, no matter our state of life, let us be godly, caring, humble, kind to others, selfless, seeking unity and the good of others. The Centurion reminds us that true greatness lies in humility and selfless service to others. He gave all when he had the privilege to, but he also received total answer to the healing request for his servant. “When we give selflessly in our riches, we shall be rewarded greatly by the Lord in our spiritual, material, financial and intellectual poverty, since in God’s economy, emptying comes before filling by God,” Bishop Odetoyinbo stated. He made this comment in his homily during Mass on day 4, September 12, of the 2022 Second Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CGCN) at the Chapel of the Sacred Heart Pastoral/Retreat Centre, Orlu, Imo State.
“However, everyone is expected not just to be responsible in contributing, but to also do so selflessly and with humility, without discriminating others. The life of the Centurion in the gospel reading today exemplifies a man who lived and contributed to others with selflessness and great humility,” the prelate explained. Most Rev. Odetoyinbo highlighted the three qualities of the Centurion that Jesus admired the most. According to him, Jesus marveled at the faith, selfless service and humility He found in the centurion. The cleric said, “Noticeably, many things about this man attracted Jesus to the extent He exclaimed that “Not even in Israel have I found such faith. First, the Centurion’s selfless contribution to the Jews; “Second, his tremendous faith in Jesus’ power and word to attain healing for his servant. He wholeheartedly believed in the efficacy of Jesus’ word to heal his servant, even from distance. He was submissive to the Supreme power of God’s healing.
Third, despite his exalted and privileged position in the society, the Centurion expressed great humility. He expressed his unworthiness to welcome Jesus under his roof.” According to the scriptures, The Centurion is in an influential and powerful position, a leader of special army of 100 soldiers. Of course, his special duty implies he was also rich and wealthy, because he was being highly paid. That afforded him the resources to build a Temple for the people. Although, highly placed and very wealthy, there came a day he needed help. The Centurion sought the help of Jesus through the people for his sick servant. Bishop Odetoyinbo underscored that the Centurion was powerful but kind; influential but caring, wealthy but generous, respected but respectful, rich but pious and godly, a commander of many servants but selfless and humble. He based his homily on the reading for the day.
Bishop stated, “He offered humble and selfless service to the people with all he had. Unlike the rich Corinthians in the first reading that were discriminating and oppressing the poor, even during ecclesial gathering and Eucharistic meal, the Centurion utilised his position and wealth to build a Temple for the Jews. And this is significant, because the Temple was uniting factor for the gentiles. He stressed, “Also looking at the life of the Centurion, we can see that he is a man of faith, a loving and generous man, a political figure with integrity and heroic humility.” He tasked Nigerians to never cease in praying for leaders so that they may have the heart of the Centurion to be submissive to the will of God, to be humble and always turn to God in times of difficulties and confusion, most importantly in this period of campaign and elections in our country, Nigeria.
Unity
Bishop Odetoyinbo charged the faithful to be dedicated in contributing to the development and unity of our social and ecclesial community. “Division, faction and discrimination still exists in the Church, society and families today. Like the Centurion, our Christian vocation is to break down all barriers separating people; to preach, pray and work for unity. Let us seek and strengthen the unity in our ecclesial community. The Eucharist must unite us. That we all eat and drink from the same ciborium and chalice should remind us that there is no discrimination in Christ, and there should be none in the Church. That was what Paul emphasised in the first reading, because “the cup of blessing is a fellowship in the body and blood of Christ” (I Cor. 10:16),” he noted.
Humility
On humility, the Bishop of Abeokuta stated, “Since there cannot be unity without humility, let us imitate the humility of the Centurion, who in his greatness knelt before Jesus. Humility in this sense implies the recognition that everyone has something to give. Humility that breaks the walls of discrimination, that allows acceptance of others and ideas, that breaks the barrier of age, cultural, tribal, religious, social and intellectual status. Humility that helps us to understand that what we offer to others can also be given by others, when we fail to selflessly do so.
