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4th Sunday in Matthew Ocala 2007, June 24 From today's Gospel reading we heard of the Lord's healing the servant of the Roman Centurion with a very simple phrase. We truly marvel at the miraculous cure, but much more, we are thoroughly inspired by the deep faith and conviction of the Centurion. As we know, practically all the Mediterranean Countries, as well as the Middle East during the Lord's time, were under the Roman rule. But, even though the Romans were conquerors, some had adopted the customs of the land, over which they ruled. Some even converted to Judaism, and these converts were known as "proselytes." By all indications, the Roman Centurion of today's Gospel was a proselyte. In his dire need, he did not hasten to any of the heathen temples, filled with so many man-made gods, but he turns to Jesus, Whose fame as a Miracle-Worker was so widespread. I'd like to bring to you a few thoughts regarding the petition of the Centurion to Jesus, as well as to express great admiration for his profound faith and humility, which should serve as a vibrant example to all Christians, and for all times. In pre-Christian days, and also in later periods, personal attendants and slaves were somewhat in the animal category, and even below that. A master had the right of life or death over those, whom he personally owned. As it was ascertained from today's example, there were masters, who were compassionate, and showed extra care for chosen servants. The Roman Centurion, mentioned in today's Gospel Lesson, appeared to be a compassionate master. It so happened, that one of his personal servants became deathly ill. All the doctors, who had been summoned, gave no hope of survival. It is then, in deep despair, that the Centurion brought to his mind the famous "Miracle Worker" called Jesus. He had a strong inner feeling --- a firm belief, that Jesus could effect the cure. Immediately, he set all things aside, and went to find Jesus. From afar, the Lord saw the Centurion approaching, and as the Lord of all, Jesus perceived the innermost depths of the Centurion's agonizing heart. He humbly approaches the Lord, and with great fervor pleads to Him to heal his servant. Without any hesitation, Jesus replies: "I shall come to your house and heal your servant!" It is precisely at this point, that we could easily feel like spiritual midgets, compared to the great faith of the Centurion. He did not say, as probably most people would have: "Thank you Lord for being so kind as to come!" No, he did not say this, nor voiced any similar expression. Rather, he humbly stated: "Lord, I am not worthy for You to enter my house." And he continues, "I am but a mere Centurion, commanding one hundred soldiers, and when I give an order, the soldiers under my command execute my wishes immediately. My power, by any measure, cannot be compared with Yours. Just say the word even from here, and I firmly believe, that my servant will be healed, even from afar!" What a powerful conviction! Indeed, what a vivid example of profound faith! --- So much so, that the Lord deeply moved, declared: "Not even in all Israel have I found such faith!" The Centurion's faith is rewarded, and his servant is healed at the very moment he had heard the Lord say: "Go, and as you have believed, let it so be!" Down through the ages, and until the present time, --and surely for all time, the very words of our Lord Jesus will constantly resound in people's hearts: "Don't despair! I shall come and heal you!" Unfortunately though, people are so engulfed in their personal and most often trivial matters, that they do not hear the Lord's therapeutic words: "I shall come and heal you." They forget our Lord's invitation to unburden themselves, when He said: "Come to me, all you, who are heavily laden, and who constantly toil, and I shall give you comfort and rest!" (Matthew 1L28) Thus, so many people in difficult times, instead of resigning themselves to the will of God and asking Him for wisdom and strength to live a more complete and spiritually fulfilling life, they make requests, which are limited strictly to the material things of this world. Things, which of themselves alone, cannot fulfill the true needs of a person. So many people can be compared with the mythological King Midas, whose greed led him to make a specific request to the ancient Greek gods, that everything, which he touched, would automatically be transformed into gold. The gods granted his wish, but soon after, he died a miserable death, because, even the food he touched to nourish his body turned into gold! Our Lord Jesus said: "Ask and it shall be given to you." Still further, the Lord emphasizes His teaching by saying: "which of you, when your child asks for bread would give him a stone, and instead of fish he would give him a snake? God, our Father, knows what is good for us, and grants us what we need to have a fulfilling life. " (Matthew 7:10) But, what happens with so many people? Instead of bread, they ask for a stone, and instead of fish, they ask for a snake, only because, they refuse to venture beyond the material world. Like King Midas, they thirst only for material things, --- for vain-glory, --- for things that belong only to this world, without any connection to the "future City, which is to come", as St. Paul describes the future life in eternity! (Hebrews 13:14) If people would only pause for a moment to seriously think of their purpose and destiny in life, they surely would seek to bolster their faith, and fully rely on God's will. But, it is up to the individual to make the move to approach God, and ask for His therapeutic blessings. It is then, that the Lord's words will echo through our heart, --- words, which were so welcomed by the Centurion: "Go, and as you have believed, let it be so!" +Fr George Papadeas
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