Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Congratulations with the feasts of the Resurrection of the Lord and of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God!

Today we heard the very familiar Gospel reading about the healing of the servant of the centurion in Capernaum. This Gospel excerpt is often read at the moleben for the sick. It is not only the Evangelist Matthew that tells of these events, but also Saint Luke, although it must be noted that their narratives differ in the details. Today’s reading is so interesting and deep in meaning that we could study this story not for one hour or even one day, but perhaps for a whole week and gain from it much that is wonderful. We could in detail examine the differences in the accounts of Matthew and Luke, look into the calling of the gentiles, interest ourselves in the actions of the centurion that are laid out in some detail by Luke, think about the not-quite-clear answer of the centurion to the Saviour, and, of course, to take note of the unusually deep faith of this centurion. All these questions are interesting and worthy of study.

Right now, let us focus our attention on how the centurion asks for help from the Lord Jesus Christ and how the Saviour Himself answers him. In fact, the centurion did not ask anything from Christ, but only laid out the facts: that his favourite servant was suffering terribly from an ailment and was on the threshold of death. In answer not to a request, but to these facts, Jesus Christ says that He will come and heal the one who was suffering. Even if we do not consider those words of the centurion that followed, it is clear what strong faith this man had. He placed everything before the Lord, demanded nothing from Him, had the strongest hope that Christ Himself knew what needs to be done. In His turn, our Lord Jesus Christ did not abandon the suffering. He healed the infirm servant and granted peace to the soul of the centurion, who himself was suffering due to the circumstances.

Throughout the course of our own lives, this scene repeats itself many times. Misfortunes, both big and small, constantly visit each of us. Each day we try to escape these situations. We think about how to act and what to do so as to manage it all. Sometimes we are compelled to approach the Lord Himself and to ask and beg for His intervention. In these most difficult moments, let’s endeavour to remember today’s centurion and act in a like manner. Let us refrain from offering our Creator our own ideas about how to work out our problems, but instead, let us come to Him and lay before Him all our sorrows and misfortunes with complete hope that He will arrange everything for our eternal salvation.

priest Alexis