They who have most opportunities of learning what Christ requires of them, by no means always profit most. Religious advantages do not consequently lead to the most sound, advanced, and enlightened piety. We learn from the Gospels that a centurion who was most probably brought up in heathenism, and became a convert to the faith and worship of the Jews, showed a stronger faith in Christ than the Euler of the Jewish Synagogue, who had grown up from his youth in acquaintance with the law of Moses, and God's commandments, and gracious dealings with His people. For this Centurion did not ask the Lord to go to his house to heal his sick servant, but while yet at a distance to speak the word only, and the cure would follow; while the Jewish Euler said Come and lay Thy hand upon her and she shall live. He would have the Lord to go with him to his house, which, in His condescending love, Christ did, stooping thus, in His meek and lowly mind, to human infirmity. Let us learn hence to be watchful over the use of our Christian knowledge, and means of grace, that they produce the good fruits of faith and humility in our daily conduct and conversation, and that we may adorn in all things the doctrine of God our Saviour, which we have learned and profess. Let us especially beware of letting any conceit of our own merit, in the sight of God, find place, as it easily does, in our hearts. It was well written:
Jesus cast a look on me,
Give me sweet simplicity;
Make me poor, and keep me low,
Seeking only Thee to know.
Make me like a little child,
Of my strength and wisdom spoiled;
Seeing only in Thy light,
Walking only in Thy might.
- text taken from Daily Bread - Bring a Few Morning Meditations for the Use of Catholic Christians by Father Richard Waldo Sibthorp