Today’s Sermon in a Nutshell . 4th Sunday of Pentecost.

Today’s Sermon in a Nutshell

4th Sunday of Pentecost

July 5, 2020

Today’s gospel is about a man who showed extraordinary faith 

– so great a faith that it even our Lord was amazed! Yet the irony being that this man was not a Jew, but a Roman soldier, a Centurion.

So, what made the Centurion’s faith so far-reaching? Although the scriptures remain silent on the subject, the man’s character undoubtedly offers us clues.

First, the fact that he was an officer with 100 men under his command shows that he was a man of integrity: upright, honest, brave, dependable. He must have stood out as a leader and been recognized by his superiors for his abilities. His commitment and courage certainly helped him to advance in rank, set as an example for others to follow and emulate. He undoubtedly was also “religious,” for this, too, would have enhanced his civil career.

Secondly, he is obviously a decent, caring person for he showed genuine love and empathy towards a servant whom he could have easily replaced for being effectively useless and depleting resources. Yet the Centurion went out of his way to seek out Christ to have him healed. And not only that, but when he talks with Christ, he shows that he knows the servants’ ailment by stating the symptoms, severity, and suffering he endures.

Thirdly, this Centurion understood authority and the so called, “chain of command;” not only from a military perspective, but in a spiritual sense as well. Although undoubtedly a pagan, the Centurion must have been open to the fact that these Jewish people he was assigned to watch over were also “religious.” Perhaps he studied their faith and may well have heard Jesus preach on occasion and/or witnessed a miracle; thus, allowing the Centurion to recognize the merits of Christ’s power.

Finally, the Centurion was not your typical master, owner, or boss. He was foremost a brother, a friend, and a neighbor to the servant. He did not stand aloof, stand back, or do nothing. He got involved. Though they were each from different worlds, class, rank, and wealth did not define their relationship. There was no gulf or social barrier between them. The Centurion’s character proved that his “great faith” did not stem from a heart of flesh and blood, but one of gold!

Fr. John