Homily on the 4th Sunday after Pentecost
When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. Mt 8:5-8
During the reign of the Roman empire, a centurion was a well-respected and a prominent figure within society - the equivalent of a commander in the Australian army; having multiple platoons (groups of soldiers) under his command.
However, this centurion was quite different to the average centurion within the Roman empire. He was quite the gentleman, an extremely humble man. For example, if he saw an injustice or one of his solders step out of line ie mistreat/take advantage of innocent people, he was the first to reprimand them and bring some form of justice to the person wronged.
For several months, a young servant whom was greatly esteemed by the centurion was suffering from horrible seizures, muscle spasms and server paralysis. Over the course of those months, the centurion traveled far and wide in order to search for a medical or holistic practitioner but was unsuccessful in finding a cure for the young servants' bodily infirmities.
Thus, when the centurion heard that Jesus of Nazareth (the miracle worker as He would have been known) was approaching Capernaum, he swiftly went to Jesus and in complete faith and humility he knelt down before Jesus in the presence of his soldiers and onlookers and professed Jesus as the only antidote for the servants ailments.
Hence, when his soldiers and the people around him witnessed him genuflecting to Jesus they were quite astonished for a centurion bows down to no one but Cesar! Thereafter, his men gained a much deeper respect for him and from all others who knew him.
Moreover, this recount reminds me of the story of the lost sheep in the gospel of Luke. The centurion feels the same way about all under his supervision - Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Lk 15: 3-7
Earlier this week I came across an article online of a bishop from Russia denouncing the “Black lives matter movement.” Bishop Savva of Zelengrad states - “The black lives matter movement is not a battle for human rights, but rather a struggle for who is most important in humanity.” He goes on to say - “This campaign is anti-Christian and ani-civilizational!”
Furthermore, when the Apostle Paul wrote to the people of Galatia he clearly stated - In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Gal 3:26-29
Yes! It is true that for centuries people of darker skin types have been persecuted and enslaved. Things that not even horror movies can properly depict have happened to such people. However, slavery and human exploitation has been a problem from the beginning of human civilization and present in all cultures around the world.
For example, the Rus trading slaves. This “trade” was established by the Varangians people (Vikings) who settled in North Russia in the village of Ladoga; which was the ideal place for human trafficking to take place. It crossed with the North of Europe and Northwest of Russia – an ideal place for the Ottoman Turkes to purchase these Russian slaves.
Thus, slavery is a worldwide and culturewide problem, it is not simply one race or another! Human violation is an ongoing pandemic that can only be abolished – firstly by humility and secondly by compiling with the commandment of our Savior to “Love one another as I have loved you!” Jn15:12
I remember as a young teenager I met a young guy who came across quite rough in the way he spoke and conveyed himself. Never the less I sensed something good in him so we continued to converse on random topics. And I remember we began to talk about different cultures and skin colors and he said something that has stuck in my head until this very day - “If there are 4 people in a room, a black African man, a Chinese man, an Indian man and an Australian man and they all pricked there finger with a needle they will all blead the same!”
Therefore, in remembering the words of this young boy I met all those years ago, it reminds me that however different our outward appearance may be - however different/diverse our cultures are; at the end of it all we love, we hurt, we lust, we cry we get angry, we all are frail human beings who will eventually leave this earthly pilgrimage! But then what? Where will we go? Will we be found worthy to bask in the presence of the All Holy Trinity by our merits in the way we loved and cared for our fellow human brethren in this life?
ALL LIVES MATTER there is to be NO compromise! We have all been created in God’s own divine image! Whether we counite to exploit this privilege and make a mockery of it is our own problem. However, one thing we must all bare in mind is that, the way we treat others and how we live out our lives is the way judgment shall be passed out onto us on the last day. We as Christians MUST stand up for all forms of life because that life comes from God for He is the giver of life!
Furthermore, not only human lives matter but also the lives of animal's matter. The way animals are treated especially the animals used for human consumption is beyond horrific. These big multibillion-dollar companies that treat animals in the most inhumane ways is beond comprehension! I have watched several videos and I am discussed at the way animals are squashed in cages on top of each other, covered in their own faeces and worse trampling upon one anther resulting in serious injuries and death!
Thus, these multibillion-dollar owners/ceo’s best change the way they operate their business because we all know that Australian saying “What goes around comes around” or “Every Dog has his day.” In other words, the way the treat ALL forms of life may be the way they are treated in the afterlife.
Through the prayers of the Theotokos, Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy on us!
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