ONLY SPEAK A WORD
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Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, pleading with Him, saying “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralysed, 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.” – Matthew 8: 5-8.
The Roman centurion says he is not worthy. But his humility, in this case, is just an excuse not to wear out and to protect Christ. It is love in action. He knows that Christ is on foot and busy all the time, preaching, healing people from sickness etc, and in order to spare Him extra effort, He simply says to Him: “Only speak a word”.
The Roman centurion is an outstanding example of how we should protect our spiritual father from unnecessary labour, as well as to give him time and energy to help others who are suffering and are in need. One should briefly state his problem, and also, if he already believes in God, i.e. in the power of the blessing of the spiritual father, he should show it by leaving the opportunity for access to Him by others who suffer and are in need of Him.
There is a demonstration of true faith and love by the centurion, we recognize not only from the love he shows for the God-Man Jesus Christ, but also from the love he demonstrates towards his neighbour (fellow man) – he does not plead for himself, but for his servant. He demonstrates the same love he shows towards God by his compassion and empathy towards others who suffer.
The aforementioned behaviour is the complete opposite to the painful attachment to the spiritual father, of the irresponsible wasting of his time, of the jealous “safeguarding” him for yourself only , and the hostility towards anyone who seems to be endangering our position with him.
We have said before: the pious attitude towards the spiritual father, in the beginning – until the enlightenment of our mind, implies a bond to his word, not to him. On the other hand, where there is no word in (with) power, there is usually, to put it mildly, a mental (soulful) attachment to the “spiritualist.” The difference is from heaven to earth.
Anyone who, like the Roman centurion, protects and spares his spiritual father, will be glorified and heard by Christ Himself: “Assuredly I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” (Matthew 8:10). 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 (Matthew 8:13).
Here is what “word in power” means. The God-Man Christ only spoke a word, and the servant of the Roman centurion was healed that same hour. God’s word, i.e. the “word in power” is fulfilled: we see this in the creation of the world, man was created from nothing which previously existed; we see this in many healings of the sick; and in the multiplying of bread and fish; and in the management of natural elements; and in the expulsion of demons; and when turning of water into wine took place; and at the resurrection of the dead; etc …
The Liturgical (Eucharistic) word is also fulfilled, and it is a “word in power”; a source (fountain) of a “word in power”, which renews the world over and over again; because Christ, through a particular priest is the One Who is offering and Who offers Himself, Who receives; and gives Himself.
The word of God, the Liturgical word, the word in power, appropriately, is already possessed by the one who enlightens his mind through the gift of the prayer of the mind in the heart; one whose mind invisibly worships God before the altar of his heart.
Strive to reach this gift. This gift is true love, salvation, and peace for the world. Do not worry, whenever and whatever comes our way, we will face it boldly and with joy. Religious sociopaths only create conflicts and spread disturbances and fear – you will recognize them by that.
Most Holy Theotokos save us all!
Metropolitan of Strumica Nahum
(17.07.2021 15:50)
