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18. The Centurion at
Capernaum. The Young Man at Nain.
Jesus continued to
perform acts of charity for all kinds of unfortunate people.
There lived in Capernaum a Roman centurion, a Gentile, who had a servant
who was terminally ill, and he valued his servant. This good man was
afraid to approach Jesus himself for a favour, precisely because he was
a stranger in the land and a Gentile. He did not consider himself worthy
of it and yet he was much more so than many who want to have the right
faith and yet let their poor servants perish in sickness. He therefore
asked the elders of the city for a good word for him. The elders said to
Jesus: ‘He is worthy that you should do him this favour. For he loves us
and has built our school for us.’ Such a beautiful testimony was given
to this stranger by the Jews, who otherwise hated all strangers. Jesus,
the philanthropist who was so good to every pious soul, immediately went
with the elders and was already close to the centurion's group. Then the
good man hurriedly sent some of his friends to meet him and said, ‘I am
not worthy that you should come under my roof. You may only speak one
word and my servant will be well.’ He no doubt believed that Jesus would
not willingly enter the house of a Gentile. Jesus recognised this subtle
way of thinking and this trust with pleasure. He said to the people who
accompanied him: ‘I have not found such faith in Israel. But many will
come,’ he said, ’from the east and from the west (who are not descended
from Abraham) and yet will be with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the
kingdom of heaven.’ But he said to the good centurion: ‘Let it be done
to you as you have believed.’ He had believed rightly. His servant was
healed that very hour.
Once, when he came to a town called Nain, they were carrying out a dead
young man, the only son of a widow, and thought they were carrying him
to the burial ground. No, they were only carrying him to meet Jesus.
When Jesus saw the weeping mother, who wanted to accompany her only and
best and last son to his grave, he was distressed. He said to her:
‘Don't weep!’ He called out to the dead boy: ‘I tell you, get up!’
Then the dead boy got up and spoke, and Jesus gave him back to his
mother.
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