Elizabeth Wood
Dear friends,
In today’s Gospel, (Luke 7, 1-17) the Roman Centurion asks that his servant be healed. There are several unusual things about this story.
The Centurion was not the typical person who asked Jesus for help. He was a Gentile, a man of authority who commanded 100 soldiers—a man used to giving orders.
And it was not typical at the time for servants to be seen as important. But when his servant was dying, the Centurion wanted to help. Perhaps he was desperate, perhaps he had tried everything else. Even so, imagine what it must have taken for him to recognize that for all of his power and authority, he could not heal his beloved servant.
Given his status, he might have come to Jesus to state his case—to use his position to influence Jesus to intervene. But he didn’t even come in person. Instead, he sent messengers—local people who would advocate for him because he had treated them well.
He told them to tell Jesus on his behalf: “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore, I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word and my servant will be healed.”
Jesus was amazed and marveled at the man’s faith. Imagine that. A faith so strong that it amazed Jesus, the miracle worker.
Jesus wasn’t impressed or intimidated by the Centurion’s position or power. He did not respond because of the Centurion’s status. He did not heal the servant as some sort of quid pro quo for the Centurion’s good works.
Jesus responded to what was in the Centurion’s heart: his love for his servant and his faith that Jesus could heal.
In a world in which compassion is in short supply, may we always seek to find ways to help the less fortunate.
In a world in which we laud our accomplishments, may we practice humility.
In a world in which we are encouraged to believe that we can do anything if we try hard enough, may we recognize our very human limits and our need for the power of God in our lives.
In a world in which we demand proof before we believe, may we have faith enough to say: “Lord, only speak the word” and know that we will be healed.
—Elizabeth
