Translation from the Book

Ὁ Θεός στήν Καινή Διαθήκη, Βοήθημα Κατωτέρου Κατηχητικοῦ Β΄,

ἐκδ. «Χριστιανική Ἐλπίς» Ὀρθόδοξη Ἀδελφότητα, Θεσσαλονίκη 2015, σσ. 46-50

  All children feel happy when parents go to school to check on their progress and they get praised. They feel happy when the teachers say how well they do at class and how well-behaved they are. Imagine how much happier we all would feel if we got praised not by any man but by Christ Himself!
  Our Lord Jesus Christ started his public ministry in Capernaum. That's where he spoke highly of a Roman army officer in front of the crowds that followed Him. “He surpasses all Israelites” Jesus said! What did He see in that man that caused His admiration?
  Upon Jesus entering the city of Capernaum, a centurion approached Him. At that time a centurion in the Roman army was like a captain, who commanded a force of a hundred soldiers. There were a lot of Roman soldiers in Palestine because it was a region conquered by the Romans.
  What could a centurion possibly want from Christ? Was he suffering from a disease and therefore needed His help? Christ had already been widely known for His miracles. The news about Him were spreading fast, His reputation was constantly growing. Everyone was talking about how He had healed a lot of people with serious illnesses.
No, the centurion didn't come to Christ to help himself. He was asking Him for something, he was even begging, but not for a personal problem. That is what he was pleading about: “Lord, my servant has fallen seriously ill. He lies at home paralyzed and he is suffering terribly.”
  Everyone was surprised. A centurion was pleading on behalf of his servant! Servants were deprived of freedom and human rights. The only purpose of their existence was to serve their masters by working hard all day long. They were considered to be their masters' property that could be sold or mistreated. A master had the right to kill his servants if they got sick or caused trouble, like people did with their livestock.
  This is why everyone was astonished by the centurion's imploring words for his servant. Christ was the only one that wasn't stunned, since He saw so much love in that man's heart. The centurion loved and cared for everyone, even the pitiful servants. He felt compassion for his servant who was suffering, ready to die.
  “I will come and heal him” our Lord assured the centurion. It was impossible to deny to a man with so much love and kindness. The centurion's eyes sparkled with joy and gratitude. But why did he look hesitant? What was bothering him?
  Apart from love, the centurion's heart was filled with humility. Although he was in the high ranks of the Roman army, he didn't think high of himself, he wasn't arrogant. “Lord”, he said humbly to our Christ, “I'm not worthy of your coming under my roof”. He believed he didn't deserve to receive the holy Teacher in his house!
  How could Christ heal his servant then? We admired his love. We also admired his modesty. But what deserves our greatest admiration is his faith. “My Lord” he told Him with complete confidence “Just say a word and my servant will be healed. For I myself obey the officers who are over me, and I give orders to my soldiers. I tell this one, 'Go' and he goes, and that one 'Come' and he comes. I say to my servant 'Do this' and he does it.”
  What great faith was hidden behind those words! He believed that Christ could heal his paralyzed servant, who couldn't even get out of bed, just with one word from afar! How could Christ disregard these words and not praise him? He declared in front of the crowd: “Truly I tell you, not even among Israelites have I found such great faith....” Then he turned to the faithful centurion and said: “Go and let it be done, just as you believed it would”. So, what the centurion believed with all his heart happened. At that moment his servant was healed!

The three great virtues of the soul

  The centurion didn't earn Christ's admiration because of his rank. Christ admired him for the virtues of his soul. Three bright stars adorned him like medals:
  a) Love
  How did he express his love? He did it by showing interest in his servant's health. He took the trouble to come and meet Christ, to beg Him for his servant's problem, even though servants were underrated. Is our soul adorned with love? Or do we only care about ourselves and our problems? Christ likes it so much when He sees us care for others.
♦ At home. Does mother need any help? We could make it easier for her by doing the shopping or taking care of little brothers and sisters.
♦ At school. Could we be of use to our classmates in case they have difficulties with their schoolwork? Some of our classmates might be in need of things we have plenty and could share.
♦ Relatives or neighbours. Is anyone sick and needs someone to keep them company? Our grandparents, who live alone, would be happy if we visited them!
We can think of many ways to show our love. Christ will be so happy for us!
  b) Modesty
  What does modesty mean?
♦ Not to brag about our talents and abilities.
♦ Not to think that the others are inferior to us.
♦ Not to get stubborn and all things to be done our way.
  A child who is modest
♦ Can comply
♦ Speaks politely to everyone
♦ He thinks that everything good he has is a gift from God.
  How dear is that child in the eyes of God (Isaiah 66,2)!
  c) Faith
  How did the centurion show his faith? (Children's own answers) He told Christ “Just say a word and my servant will be healed”.
  We should believe that, too, with all our heart: our God can do anything and nothing is impossible to Him. He created the universe with a word! He healed so many people with a word! When we face a problem, when we find ourselves in difficulties, let's ask for His help trustfully, faithfully, feeling certain that nothing is unsolvable for our God, no difficulty is insuperable!

Modesty, love and faith,
three stars bright
let my soul adorn,
pleasant to God's sight!

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