Centurion and jesus full#

Centurion and jesus full#

We find it in Luke (7:1-10), where great faith is accompanied by a humility full of dignity. We find it in Matthew (8:5-13), where we probably have the oldest tradition, deeply influenced by the fact that such faith was present in a pagan, while the chosen people so lacked it. The story is significantly found in almost all the Gospels. The Gospel offers us some beautiful examples of believing soldiers the most significant is undoubtedly the centurion of Capernaum. What happened then was simply a confirmation: some at least had taken the Baptist's invitation quite seriously. However the Baptist proposes a new style, capable of giving dignity to this work and preparing honest and courageous soldiers for meeting their Lord. And he also asked for a significant sacrifice: in antiquity army pay was really miserable it was taken for granted that every soldier would supplement his income with looting and extortion, according to custom. In fact the Baptist was asking them for true conversion: from a mentality of power and repression to service for all the people. This invitation now appears to be anything but secondary. Soldiers also asked the Baptist: 'And we, what shall we do?' He answered: 'Rob no one by violence or by false accusation, and be content with your wages' (Lk 3:14). From the time of John the Baptist's preaching the most sensitive Jews began to prepare themselves in the best possible way for the Messiah's coming. In the Gospel, soldiers also have a part to play they are a category of individuals sensitive to the call of faith from the very beginning.

The soldiers are not just one of the many aspects of the historical background to Christ's work. This military presence, in a land that was unruly and occupied by Roman troops, was undoubtedly an historical fact but significantly the Gospel does not confine itself to presenting it as such. The soldiers around Christ are an indisputable fact in the Gospel. This explains the renewed interest in soldier saints, especially the first ones, those who were physically as well as spiritually close to Jesus. At the same time this image invites us to look with special affection at those who are 'closest to Christ'. This image speaks of the search for greater unity, of a stronger capacity for communication and closeness in it. 8For I am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9When Jesus heard this he marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude that followed him, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” 10And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave well.The spiritual experience of Military Ordinariates could be described in an image: gathering around Christ. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof 7therefore I did not presume to come to you. 4And when they came to Jesus, they besought him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, 5for he loves our nation, and he built us our synagogue.” 6And Jesus went with them. 3When he heard of Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his slave. 2Now a centurion had a slave who was dear to him, who was sick and at the point of death.

Luke 7ħAfter he had ended all his sayings in the hearing of the people he entered Caperʹna-um. 11I tell you, many will come from east and west and sit at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness there men will weep and gnash their teeth.” 13And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go be it done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.

9For I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10When Jesus heard him, he marveled, and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such faith. 5 As he entered Caperʹna-um, a centurion came forward to him, beseeching him 6and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, in terrible distress.” 7And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8But the centurion answered him, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.