20080713 Pass the Straws!

20080713 Pass the Straws!

A homily on the need to rise above our passions and share the "water of life" with a thirsty world.



Romans 6: 18-23
St. Matthew 8: 5-13

The Lord said of the centurion: “I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” What does this mean? What is the lesson for us, today?

The simple meaning of Christ's proclamation should be clear: the centurion had enough faith in Jesus' power to ask Him to heal his servant; moreover, he had enough of faith to believe that Christ did not have to be present with the servant to make it happen any more than a great general needed to be present at a local skirmish to ensure victory. I hope that you all understand this kind of faith in the power of Christ and emulate it yourselves. But this is the “milk” of the message intended for “infants” in the faith – what is the “solid food” intended for those who are already embracing Christ with faith? (1 Corinthians 3: 1-2)?

To get even more out of this reading, we need to look at the context of this meeting between Christ and the centurion. Christ was a Jew. His disciples were Jews, and during his earthly ministry, his primary physical audience was comprised of Jews. The Jews were a people who remembered a time when they had their own kingdom, a kingdom where everything was designed around their faith. But it had been many generations since they had lost their independence, and since that time they had been ruled by various empires. The Jews of Christ's entourage and audience were ruled by the Roman empire, and the relationship was not entirely satisfactory [you can read Maccabees or the works of Josephus to learn more of this]. Their ability to worship in the manner of their ancestors was restricted, and many felt oppressed. You must know that Christ was not the first Jew crucified under the Roman authorities. The strength of the Roman Army was the ultimate guarantuer of Roman rule. The centurion was an officer in the part of the Roman Army that occupied the Jewish land.

Given this context, you must see that what is not written in this Gospel lesson is as powerful as what is [written]: Christ does not reject the centurion. He does not rebuke him for his service in the pagan occupation army. He listens to the man, his love for his servant, and his faith in the power of Jesus. As St. Paul teaches us [Galatians 3: 26 & 28]; , “...you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus... there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Not only doesn't Christ reject the centurion, He grants his request. This despite the ill will this might feed among his more zealous disciples and audience. He was teaching them a fundamental Truth as much as He was healing a young man.

I hope that my description of the situation of the Jews at the time of Christ resonated with you. It should. Those who study Ukrainian history are familiar with the themes. Like the Jews, the Ukrainians “are [at least until quite recently] a people who remember a time when they had their own kingdom, a kingdom where everything was designed around their faith. But it had been many generations since they had lost their independence, and since that time they had been ruled by various empires.” Many of the founders of this parish were fleeing from these “various empires” [the Russians, the Poles, the Nazis, the Communists].

Finally we are to the “meat” of this Gospel. The part that is harder to chew, but also brings greater satisfaction of hunger. The meat of this Gospel that I offer you today is this: we are Christ to this world. We are the Church of which Christ is the head. He is truly “among us” here at St. Michael's. As the Church, we offer healing and salvation to all who confess Christ, no matter what their heritage. Our culture is the blessed “earthly vessel” that contains the “Living Water” (2 Corinthians 4:7). This vessel is attractive for many reasons, but it is holy because of what it contains. Christ's desire is that all drink of this living water. This is a thirsty world, and our vessel is overflowing. We must drink deeply ourselves in emulation of the centurion, but, like Christ, we must share this water with all who recognize its Truth and Power.