I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!

 

 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.  

Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.

 

- Luke 7:1–17 

 

 We have been reading through Jesus' Sermon on the Plain, in Luke's Gospel (beginning with Tuesday's reading).  Yesterday we read that Jesus added a parable to His teachings:  "Can the blind lead the blind?  Will they not both fall into the ditch?  A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.  And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye?  Hypocrite!  First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother's eye.  For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.  For every tree is known by its fruit.  For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil.  For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.  But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?  Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like:  He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock.  And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.  But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell.  And the ruin of that house was great."

 

  Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.   My study Bible says that this centurion, a Roman Gentile, is unusual in his devotion to the Jews.  It notes for us his remarkable characteristics.  He is compassionate, he loves God and God's people; he has humility; and also possesses great faith, as remarked upon by Jesus.  

Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.  In the Gospels, there are three recorded resurrections performed by Christ (see also Luke 8:41-56; John 11:1-44).  My study Bible says that they confirm the promise given to the prophet Ezekiel that god will one day open the graves and raise all the dead (Ezekiel 37:1-14).  Many people have exercised authority over the living, my study Bible says, but only the Son of God "has power over both the living and the dead" (quoting from the Eastern Orthodox funeral service).  While Christ has power through His word alone (John 11:43), here it's observed that He also touched the coffin to show that His very body is life-giving.  Moreover, according to St. Ambrose of Milan, this event prefigures Christ's own Resurrection. Mary will weep for Jesus at the Cross, but her tears will be turned to joy by the Resurrection.  Here, a widow's only son is raised from the dead, and this puts an end to her weeping.

 

I find myself intrigued by the good qualities of this centurion which my study Bible describes.  It notes that the centurion, a Roman Gentile, is unusual in his devotion to the Jews.  Moreover, the qualities he displays include compassion, and a love for God and God's people.  He is also humble.  And Christ Himself praises the centurion's remarkable faith ("I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!" )  Perhaps we might ask ourselves why we hear about this remarkable Roman centurion at this point in St. Luke's Gospel, for it is, indeed, an event to open our eyes when even Jesus points out a faith greater than any He's found in Israel!  One might begin with the events of our recent readings, in which Jesus has chosen His twelve apostles from among His disciples, and given the Sermon on the Plain, which is roughly similar to the Sermon on the Mount although not as extensive.  For in so doing, He has conveyed the gospel message that the apostles are to take out first throughout Israel, but eventually throughout the known world.  So, immediately after giving us all His gospel, Jesus encounters this centurion, who is not only Roman and a Gentile, but even an official of the hated Roman colonial regime which occupies Israel.  If this man's faith surpasses any Jesus has found in Israel, just imagine what that portends for the gospel message which will be sent out to all of the world.  One aspect of this man's faith is -- almost surprising in and of itself -- his understanding of authority and how it works.  Let us note here that Jesus' most persistent accusation and questioning will be over His authority to do the things He does.  He teaches with authority.  When He cleanses the temple in Jerusalem, the first question the religious leaders will bring to Him is the demand to know from where He got the authority to do so, and who gave that authority to Him.  But this man of authority, the centurion (who is a captain or commander over one hundred Roman soldiers) fully invests himself with unquestioned faith in Jesus' authority.  He has no problem giving over his trust entirely, perhaps even instinctively, to Jesus and Jesus' ability to command with authority.  Perhaps we're to understand that a man of authority, rank, and hierarchy in a chain of command like this centurion can recognize the same in Christ.  The centurion serves the emperor, and has a chain of command below and above himself; so he seems to automatically assume Christ has as well.  And this kind of almost instinctive trust is one aspect of faith.  The other qualities that make the centurion a remarkable man are also indispensable for Christian faith and the living of our faith:  he is compassionate, he loves God and God's people, and he is humble.  He has the humility of a man who understands authority and rank, and does not hesitate to put trust in another's authority whom he recognizes.  In the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Mark, Jesus will teach the apostles about the use of power in the Church by citing for negative contrast the example of the Gentiles.  Jesus teaches, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:25-28; see also Mark 10:42-45).  Therefore, the example of this centurion, which is based so primarily upon his understanding and recognition of authority, is that much more remarkable.  For this Gentile Roman is cited as a splendid example of one who uses authority well and properly and in service to what is great faith in the sight of Jesus Christ.  Let us consider today what constitutes authority and its proper use, for here we have a great example as provided for us in the Gospels.  His respect for faith, his love of God, his service to God's people, his proper humility, and especially his recognition of Christ's authority -- all of these things turn for us this representative of the hated Roman occupiers and their military might into a splendid example of a Christian soldier, and one to make even Jesus marvel.   Let us consider what he is so willing to serve, and how he serves. 

 

 

 

He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses

 

 Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented."  And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him."  The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof.  But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.  For I am also a man under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!  And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.  But the sons of the kingdom will be cast into outer darkness.  There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."  Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you."  And his servant was healed that same hour.  

Now when Jesus had come into Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother laying sick with a fever.  So He touched her hand, and the fever left her.  And she arose and served them.  

 

When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed.  And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:

"He Himself took our infirmities

And bore our sicknesses."

- Matthew 8:5–17 

 

In yesterday's reading, we read that when Jesus had ended the Sermon on the Mount (His "sayings"), the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.  When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him.  And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean."  Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed."  Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.  And Jesus said to him, "See that you tell no one; but go your way, who yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."

 

 Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented."   In the context of today's reading, it is important to understand that this is a man with worldly authority.  If we look at the reading from yesterday, we understand that St. Matthew has emphasized Jesus' teaching as one having authority, which astonished the people.  My study Bible explains that a centurion (a Gentile) commanded 100 men in a Roman legion.  It says that Christ is the Savior of all, and in Him all ethnic distinctions are void.

 

 And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him."  My study Bible points out that I will come has been read by many Greek scholars to be a question:  "Shall I come?  Nonetheless, Jesus is ready to deal gracious with this Gentile, even to enter His house.  My study Bible says that to do so would make Him unclean in the eyes of the Jews.  Again, this is pertinent to the reading from yesterday, in which Jesus touched a leper in order to heal him -- touching the unclean was prohibited.

The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof.  But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.  For I am also a man under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  My study Bible comments that this centurion is expressing unusual faith, as he calls Jesus, who is a Jew, Lord.  His statement, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof," is often quoted in liturgical texts as an ideal expression of humility.  

When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  There are two places in the Gospels where it is said about Jesus that He marveled.   Once is at the unbelief He finds in His hometown of Nazareth (Mark 6:6), and here at the belief of this foreigner.  

"And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.  But the sons of the kingdom will be cast into outer darkness.  There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."  Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you."  And his servant was healed that same hour.   My study Bible notes that here Jesus nullifies any ideas of ethnic superiority.  Those rejected sons of the kingdom He refers to here are both the Jews who deny Christ, and also those raised in the Church who do not live their faith.  Outer darkness and weeping and gnashing, it explains, are descriptions of the state of the unrighteous dead in Sheol (Hades) in the Jewish tradition (see, for example, Enoch 108).   These are common expressions in St. Matthew's Gospel (Matthew 13:42, 50; 22:13; 24:51, 25:30), and appear also in St. Luke's Gospel (Luke 13:28).  

 

 Now when Jesus had come into Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother laying sick with a fever.  So He touched her hand, and the fever left her.  And she arose and served them.  When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed.  And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:  "He Himself took our infirmities / And bore our sicknesses."  In this passage and in 1 Corinthians 9:5 (in which Peter is called Cephas) tell us that St. Peter was married.  My study Bible comments that our Lord's healing miracles are diverse.  Here, He heals by touch, where in healing the centurion's servant, He healed by a word.  This healing of St. Peter's mother-in-law  is immediate and complete, whereas others are gradual (Mark 8:22-24, or they need the cooperation of the person healed or of that person's loved ones (Luke 8:54-55).  St. Matthew quotes from Isaiah 53:4. 

We must note that, in these first few encounters of Christ just after He completes the Sermon on the Mount, everything is done with the aim of healing.  If Christ speaks with authority, while He possesses no earthly signification of authority (He's not a Levitical priest, and holds no special office nor recognition from the authorities), then that authority is used with a purpose -- and the clear evidence of that, from the two healings done now after completing the Sermon on the Mount, is healing.  Jesus heals.  And I think we can apply this statement, that Jesus heals, to just about everything we know about Christ.  At His Return, we say, will be the final judgment.  But judgment in this case doesn't mean a simple sorting of good and bad, and it doesn't mean only "the end" in the eschatological sense.  It means the healing of all things, putting everything in order, rectifying all and reconciling all.  To heal is to set in good order, to balance all things into the proper balance, to resolve heaven and earth into the place of peace, the New Jerusalem.  All balance and order is restored in Christ and especially in what He does.  Therefore, when we consider His "sayings" in the Sermon on the Mount, and when we think about these individual healings of both the leper and the centurion's servant in the past couple of readings, we should understand that all of these teach us about His effective healing.  His sayings and commands are for our own health and well-being, on every level.  We are given teachings to help us balance and to learn good spiritual healing, which transmits to all other things in life, teaching us what it is to be truly "in order."  He has just given us His commands in the Sermon, but then when He touches the leper, He expresses another aspect of Law, its aim, and the purpose for which He has given us everything -- especially in His role as Lord -- is for healing.  That is, the healing of community, of our world, of our sense of ourselves, of righteousness, all things.  And then we come to the centurion's servant, and the marvelous (literally, for the Lord marveled) understanding and faith of the centurion, who immediately grasps Christ's authority, and receives healing for the one for whom he prayed to the Lord.  Christ heals all the nations and all people, and in this we also find His healing and balance for us.  He is repairing our sense of our world, our sense of ourselves, our understanding of purpose and worship, our understanding of God and where God wants us to go with our lives.  For to understand is also part of faith and healing, for this is the evidence of the centurion's great faith which surpasses even all Israel.  Finally, we also come to the healing of St. Peter's mother-in-law, also found in the gospels of St. Luke and St. Mark.  This woman is unable to fulfill her function, which is her place of honor, in the house, because of fever.  But at Christ's touch, she rises, restored and once again set into order, so that she may fulfill her honor to serve the Lord and His ministry as the senior woman in her home.  If we fail to understand this, it is likely because more modern concerns about the place of women keep us from doing so.  Let us ask always for Christ's healing, because these stories coming on the heels of His preaching the Sermon on the Mount truly give us the message about His authority and purpose, to heal us.  We should recall here His reason He will give for the preaching of parables:  "Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.  And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:  'Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive; for the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed,  lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.' "   Let us note that Jesus here quotes from Isaiah 6:9-10, in which it is given that the ultimate goal of understanding with the heart is to be healed.  Ultimately, as we understand Christ, "He Himself took our infirmities / And bore our sicknesses."

 

 

O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire

 

 Then Jesus went out from there and departed too the region of Tyre and Sidon.  And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David!  My daughter is severely demon-possessed."  But He answered her not a word.  And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she cries out after us."  But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."  Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, help me!"  But He answered and said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs."  And she said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table."  Then Jesus answered and said to her, "O woman, great is your faith!  Let it be to you as you desire."  And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

 

- Matthew 15:21–28 

 

Yesterday we read that the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, "Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders?  For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread."  He answered and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?  For God commanded, saying, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'  But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God" -- then he need not honor his father or mother.'  Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.  Hypocrites!  Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:  'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.  And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'"  When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear and understand:  Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man."  Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?"  But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.  Let them alone.  They are blind leaders of the blind.  And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."  Then Peter answered and said to Him, "Explain this parable to us."  So Jesus said, "Are you also still without understanding?  Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.  These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."

 

  Then Jesus went out from there and departed too the region of Tyre and Sidon.  And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David!  My daughter is severely demon-possessed."  But He answered her not a word.  After the confrontation with the scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem (recorded in yesterday's reading, above), Jesus withdraws to this Gentile region of Tyre and Sidon.  This Canaanite woman is a Gentile, as we'll clearly read in Christ's responses a little further along.  My study Bible notes that some elements of today's reading make clear the Jewish orientation of St. Matthew's Gospel.  One of those indications is here, in the messianic title with which this woman addresses Christ, Son of David, a Jewish term for the Messiah.  Additionally, my study Bible comments on her character, as she displays immeasurable love:  she identifies so strongly with the sufferings of her daughter that she cries, "Have mercy on me."  She sees her daughter's well-being as her own and her daughter's sufferings as her own.  Jesus refuses to answer, my study Bible comments, for two reasons.  First, because she is a Gentile; His ministry before His Passion is first to the Jews.  Second, to reveal this woman's profound faith and love.  

And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she cries out after us."  But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."  In patristic commentary, there are those who see the disciples' request to send her away as an attempt to persuade Jesus to heal her daughter.  My study Bible explains this perspective as meaning to say, "Give her what she wants so that she will leave."  Jesus' response indicates that this is correct, as He again refuses to heal her daughter.  Jesus' claim, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" is yet another indication of the Jewish orientation of St. Matthew's Gospel, for neither this saying nor her title for Jesus, Son of David, are found in Mark's version of the story (Mark 7:24-30).  St. Mark's Gospel, however, records that Jesus wanted no one to know that He was there.

Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, help me!"  But He answered and said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs."  And she said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table."  Then Jesus answered and said to her, "O woman, great is your faith!  Let it be to you as you desire."  And her daughter was healed from that very hour.  My study Bible comments that, having evoked this woman's love and persistent faith, Christ now reveals her humility.  She accepts her place beneath the Jews, who were the chosen people of God, but she still wishes a share in God's grace.  Christ's hesitancy, therefore, was not a lack of compassion.  We should see it instead as a conscious means of revealing her virtues -- both for the disciples as well as for her sake.  Her ultimate acceptance by Christ points toward the gathering of the Gentiles into the Church after Pentecost, no longer as dogs but as children who are invited to eat the bread of eternal life.  

Today's story from St. Matthew's Gospel is one more instance in which Christ cannot be hidden, and which teaches us that, even as He seeks to withdraw, His compassion is called upon and He responds with His power to heal an ailing humanity.  It is in these ways similar to the feeding of the five thousand men (and more women and children) who followed Him to a deserted place when He sought to withdraw once again from conflict with the authorities (in that instance, the attention of Herod Antipas).  In the latter case, they had followed Him and had nothing to eat when evening came.  Regarding today's story, St. Mark's Gospel tells us that He didn't want it known that He was there, as He'd withdrawn to this Gentile region in response to the criticism and conflict with the scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem (see yesterday's reading, above).  But He cannot be hidden, even from this Gentile Canaanite woman who pleads with Him for the sake of her daughter, who is severely demon-possessed.  This is the first hint we get of something going on here we might not otherwise notice:  she's asking for help dealing with an "enemy power."  That is, she wants help in defeating the demons who afflict her daughter.  In calling Jesus Son of David, she is addressing One whom she recognizes as a Deliverer, a Savior.  As my study Bible pointed out, He tells her that He was only sent to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel."  But she nonetheless keeps pleading with Him.  And her humility is quite on display, as Jesus speaks of the puppies begging under the table for the children's food (we can imagine this image of her pestering insistence), and she responds without refuting what He says, but in acceptance, and smartly telling Him that "even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table."  For this persistence, acceptance, humility -- and what we can call her prayers to the Lord in pleading with Him -- she is rewarded as Jesus gives her high praise:  "O woman, great is your faith!"  We have to notice her quick wit, and consider that for all this she is made of the stuff that pleases Christ, as she won't let go of this great blessing of the Son of David in her midst.  What we find here is the creative power always on display in whatever circumstances where Christ is involved, and wherever He goes, even when He's trying to escape scrutiny.  Faith opens up pathways and new expression of God's power through Christ -- in this case, a surprising beginning at the hint of faith opening to the Gentiles.  It's important that, once again, we note Christ has one aim in mind in coming to this place, and something quite different unfolds as another opportunity for the power of God to manifest and be revealed.  For this is our Lord and the surprising reality of God that never stops opening for us, expressing creative power, finding a way through faith to give new expressions of God's activity in the world and through human beings, even those seemingly least likely.  Let us give thanks and praise. 

 

 

 

When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep"

 

 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.

Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.

 

- Luke 7:1-17 

 

In our recent readings, Jesus has been preaching what is called the Sermon on the Plain (as Luke tells us that He "stood on a level place").  Yesterday, we read the final teachings in this sermon, which began with a parable:  "Can the blind lead the blind?  Will they not both fall into the ditch?  A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.  And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye?  Hypocrite!  First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother's eye.  For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.  For every tree is known by its own fruit.  For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil.  For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?  Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like:  He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock.  And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.  But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell.  And the ruin of that house was great."

 

  Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.   My study Bible comments that this centurion, who is a Roman Gentile, is unusual in his devotion to the Jews.  It takes note of his greatly worthy characteristics.  He is compassionate (his servant was dear to him), and has love for God and God's people (he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue).  He is humble in his deference to Christ (Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof).  Finally, he shows great faith in his confidence in Christ and Christ's authority and power (Jesus says, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!").

 

 Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.  My study Bible tells us that this is one of three resurrections performed by Christ which are recorded in the Gospels (see also Luke 8:41-55; John 11:1-44).  It notes that these resurrection stories confirm the promise given to the prophet Ezekiel that God will one day open the graves and raise all the dead (Ezekiel 37:1-14).  Many people have exercised authority over the living; but only the Son of God "has power over both the living and the dead" (quoting from the Eastern Orthodox funeral service).  While Christ has power through His word alone (John 11:43), here He also touched the coffin to show that His very body is lifegiving.  According to St. Ambrose of Milan, this even also prefigures Christ's own Resurrection.  As Mary would weep for Jesus at the Cross, yet her tears would be turned to joy by the Resurrection; here a widow's only son is raised from the dead, putting an end to her weeping.  

 

 It's interesting to note the differences in the two stories given in today's reading.  The first is that of the centurion and his servant.  This centurion is wise in the ways of the institutions of the world and their protocols.  He's a commander of men within a distinct hierarchy in the supreme military of the time, one that revolutionized the notion of order.  He is also very humble, respectful of the Jews and their faith, and also of Jesus Christ.  Let us note that the text tells us that his servant is dear to him.  Not only is he respectful of the Jews and of Jesus, he also has compassion in his relation to his servant.  This is not a man for whom those under his command or in his household are interchangeable underlings.  In short, his respect and compassion show us his regard for community, his righteousness.  But it is noteworthy that in the case of that healing, he sends emissaries, the elders of the synagogue, to plead his case to Jesus.  He is both prudent and respectful.  And if we look closely, to send the elders of the Jews to Jesus is to ask others, in this sense, to intercede in prayer for him.  This intercession by others who've been asked to do so is simply magnified by the great trust, respect, and honor that the centurion shows to Jesus subsequently.  So much so, that Jesus proclaims to all, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  But in the story of the widow of Nain, an entirely different process happens.   In that case, Jesus comes upon the funeral of the only son of a widow, and when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her.  It's not the only time in the Gospels when Jesus is moved with compassion by the sight of women weeping over their departed.  In John 11:32-36, we may see Jesus' response to the sight of Mary (the sister of Lazarus) weeping, and all the mourners with her.  In this case, Mary is no stranger, and, as is noted in the text, Jesus loved Lazarus and his sisters.  But there is another similarity here, in that the sisters have lost their only brother -- who is presumably the male head of the household; and the widow of Nain has lost her only son.  In terms of worldly authority and power, she is among the least of the world -- and so quite the opposite of the centurion.  I think that we have to appreciate the economics of the time, for even today in the most developed of countries, despite social and economic changes, the presence of a loving male protector and provider in a household still makes a great difference to all concerned.  In this case, we can presume that she was dependent upon this only son for many things, including a place of honor in the household.  In John's Gospel, we should be sensitive to the fact that, at the Crucifixion, Jesus left His mother in care to His "beloved disciple," John, whereupon John immediately took her to his own home (John 19:25-27).   So these two healings, paired together, tell us something essential.  Regardless of how we come to Christ, whether we are outsiders or insiders, whether we are people of authority or those without any power at all, whether others are praying for us or we feel alone and abandoned, God sees us.  God hears, and God responds.  It is most essential to observe how Christ is the God who sees, because He both notices and praises the centurion for his faith, and has compassion when He sees the weeping widow of Nain.  What this teaches is that regardless of how we come to Christ, or where we are in terms of faith, whether we are great or small, or even when we think God is absent -- God is always watching.  Christ is the Lord who sees, the one whose compassion means He knows our hearts and also our sorrows.  In the text the word translated as compassion comes from the Greek word for spleen, but means a depth of feeling in the core of the body, in one's "gut," so to speak.   When Jesus is moved with compassion He is deeply affected, even physically so, and not simply a detached observer.  He is a God who feels what we feel.  Indeed, in the compassion of the saints and of our Lord we might consider that there are times when we are numb, but the One who knows our hearts feels for us what we cannot feel.  Let us remember the Lord who is with us always.

 

 

Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof

 

 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I am also a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.

Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.

 

- Luke 7:1–17 

 

In our recent readings, Jesus has been giving what is known as the Sermon on the Plain.  Its topics are similar to the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew's Gospel (Matthew 5 - 7).   No doubt Jesus preached His gospel in many places.  Nonetheless Luke includes teachings not found in Matthew.  We began reading this Sermon in Friday's reading last week.  Yesterday, we read the conclusion:  He spoke a parable to them:  "Can the blind lead the blind?  Will they not both fall into the ditch?  A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.  And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye?  Hypocrite!  First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother's eye.  For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.  For every tree is known by its own fruit.  For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil.  For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.  But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?  Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like:  He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock.  And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.  But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell.  And the ruin of that house was great." 

Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I am also a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.  My study Bible comments that this centurion, a Roman Gentile, is unusual in his devotion to the Jews, and this is quite remarkable about him.  My study Bible describes his notable characteristics as follows:  he has a love for God and God's people ("he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue"); he is humble ("I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof"); and, in the words of Jesus, he has great faith.

 

 Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.  My study Bible tells us that this is one of three resurrections which were performed by our Lord as recorded in the Gospels (see also Luke 8:41-56; John 11:1-44).  It notes that they confirm the promise given to the prophet Ezekiel that God will one day open the graves and raise all the dead (Ezekiel 37:1-14).  It says that many people have exercised authority over the living, but only the Son of God "has power over both the living and the dead" (quoting from the Orthodox funeral service).  As Christ has power through His word alone (John 11:43), in today's instance He also touched the coffin to show that His very body is life-giving.  This event prefigures Christ's own Resurrection.  Echoing the commentary of St. Ambrose of Milan, my study Bible notes that as Mary would weep for Jesus at the Cross, yet her tears would be turned to joy by the Resurrection, here a widow's only son is raised from the dead, putting an end to her weeping.

What is truly remarkable in both episodes of Christ's healing ministry in today's reading is the level of compassion that is at work here, highlighted in these stories.  There is first of all the centurion, who is notable for his own compassionate qualities.  As noted above, although he is nominally an occupying Roman commander of soldiers in this place, the locals praise him as one who "loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  This man has used the imperial power available to him in his position to shore up the faith of the local people and has learned to love the God of Israel.  We can see his tremendous humility, despite his worldly authority, before Christ.  He calls Jesus "Lord," and says that he is not worthy for Christ to come under his roof.  And finally, there is the display of his great faith; he understands that Jesus has power to command beyond his own, and that there are no worldly barriers to that power.  This insight arising from his faith, given all the rest that we know about him, is also deeply connected to his capacity for compassion.  And then there is the unusual story of the widow of Nain, found only here in Luke's Gospel.  Again, the emphasis here is on compassion.  It's notable that St. Ambrose of Milan would see an image of Mary, the mother of Jesus, in this story.  She is a widow who has lost her only son, her only protection and care in a difficult world.  We can't imagine her grief, I think, unless we have experienced something like it.  But the story is an illustration of the compassion of Christ in a world where sadness and loss may afflict us all; here it is the cruelty of death taking away her only son and support in the world.  The text literally tells us that Christ had compassion on her, telling her, "Do not weep."  Christ's compassion, we should note, is born of empathy, not sentimentality.  This is God emptying Himself for us, reaching out, and bringing us the gospel of the Kingdom.  Empathy reaches to solve problems, even those with difficult solutions, and is willing even to seem harsh in order to alleviate misery.  Sentimentality is a confusion of such, often simply comforting oneself.  Christ's compassion makes evident His capacity for understanding pain and suffering; it makes clear that His mission in this world against the "evil one" is all about alleviating that pain and correcting what ails us.  Just as the centurion's gracious rule is connected to his capacity for both faith and compassion, Christ's healing ministry is connected to all levels of what ails us:  body, soul, and spirit.  In the Sermon on the Plain, which we've just finished reading, the great emphasis underlying Christ's teachings was compassion.  In today's reading, we're shown what it is to live it, what it is all about.

God has visited His people

 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick."

Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.

- Luke 7:1-17

On Tuesday, we read that Jesus chose the twelve disciples who would become apostles, and then began what is known as the Sermon on the Plain (similar in content to the Sermon on the Mount).  Yesterday, we read the conclusion to the Sermon:  He spoke a parable to them:  "Can the blind lead the blind?  Will they not both fall into the ditch?  A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.  And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the speck that it is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye?  Hypocrite!  First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother's eye.  For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.  For every tree is known by its own fruit.  For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil.  For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.  But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?  Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like:  He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock.  And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.  But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell.  And the ruin of that house was great."

Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick."   This centurion is a Roman Gentile, and he is unusual in his devotion to the Jews.  He is a professional soldier of the Roman Empire, a commander over dozens of other soldiers.   In this role, his characteristics are notable:  he has compassion, love for God and God's people, humility, and great faith.  In fact, he sets an example for faith for all of us, and is extraordinarily praised by Christ.

Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.  My study bible points out that this is one of three resurrections that were performed by Christ as recorded in the Gospels (see also 8:41-56; John 11:1-44).  They confirm the promise given to the prophet Ezekiel that God will one day open the graves and raise all the dead (Ezekiel 37:1-14).  There are many, such as the centurion in the previous verses, who have exercised authority over the living, but only the Son of God "has power over both the living and the dead" as the Orthodox funeral service declares.  Christ, who is the Word, has power through His word alone (John 11:43), but here He also touched the coffin to show that His body is life-giving.  This event, of course, prefigures His own Resurrection.  St. Ambrose of Milan writes that Mary would weep for Jesus at the Cross, but her tears were turned to joy at the Resurrection.  So it is with this widow's only son who is raised from the dead, putting an end to her weeping.

Jesus is clearly the author of life, and in Him is eternal life.  But what we are to understand about this life is myriad and multiple.  When Christ the Word intersects with us in our lives, there is no telling what may be opened up and renewed.  In these examples in today's reading, there is first of all the centurion.  A man with military power, he would normally be one who is feared.  But he is a gracious figure, and a righteous one.  He respects the God of the Jews, he's dedicated to the nation with love (as the elders testify to Jesus) and he has built their synagogue.  But the centurion, as a man of military authority, understands authority himself.  And perhaps better than do the Jews, he understands that the word of the Lord is like the word of the Emperor; whatever is done in His name, He is present.   He has so much faith and confidence in Jesus, that he does not demand Jesus go to his home to heal the servant, and this is great faith indeed, such that Jesus hasn't found even in Israel.  Jesus' very life, working through the faith of the centurion, opens up for us what faith and our life may truly be about, in ways unique to this man and his position.  The story of the widow of Nain is found only in Luke's Gospel.  It displays some of the tenderness in Luke we find toward various women, and as my study bible points out, it opens up a reflection on Mary and the experience she will go through.  But it displays the great compassion of Christ, who cares that she is weeping.   His words, "Do not weep," are the comfort His love brings.   It teaches us that the life that is in the Creator is also love, and that this is the great characteristic of the energies of God, God's work in the world.  He restores to her her life, the very thing most precious to her.   In the Epistle of James, we read, "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world" (James 1:27).  In this story of the widow of Nain, Jesus, as He taught in yesterday's reading, shows Himself - as Teacher - as the example to which all of His disciples must aspire, in His care for widows and orphans.  It is the Mother of Christ who has declared that God "has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly" (see Luke 1:46-55).  It is through compassion and love that the very life and power of God works in the world.  This is what His ministry brings to us, the truths of the Kingdom, and it is how we understand that which we aspire to be a part of, and in which we can participate.  As we see in the stories, each detail of every life brings out the possibilities of the life in abundance that Christ is here to bring:  the centurion in his particular place and time and circumstance, and the widow of Nain in hers.  What do we ask of Him, and how do we participate in His life and discipleship?  In Revelation 21:5, the Lord literally says in the Greek, "Behold, I am always making all things new."   The Evangelist is told, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."  And so they are.  We don't know how that will work for us in our lives, but it is God's work that is always unfolding and showing us what is new, and what it means for life to be renewed.