Every year, Jews made the pilgrimage to the city of Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. As they arrive safely at the gates of the city, however, they cannot help but burst into a song of praise. Not because they have had a safe journey but because they have come to the city where God dwells. For them, Jerusalem, the city of peace, is the place of encounter with God.

The prophet Isaiah had prophesied that in the future, not just Jews but that people from all nations will stream to Jerusalem. There, they will praise God and hear His authoritative word. Isaiah's prophesy was fulfilled with the coming of Jesus. In Gospel, we read how Jesus, with the authority and power of His Word, heals the centurion's servant. In Jesus, the prince of peace, has come into the world. In and though him, all people, including gentiles, encounter God.

As Christians, we too are to praise God and to live according to His authoritative Word in our lives. We are called to become witnesses of Christ. Through our lives, we are to draw and gather peoples into the Church. After all, the Greek word ekklesia, which means, 'church' refers to the people whom God calls and gathers together from every part of the world.