Under My Roof

After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well. Luke 7:1-10

We arrived back home in Sitka shortly before six last night. As we flew in the clouds were thick and the air was thick with water. We had left Albuquerque very early in the morning where everything is dry and it seems as the sun shines all the time. The sound of rain on the roof welcomed our dry skin and parched throats. The sweet new green everywhere welcomed us to familiar surroundings. Under our roof we knew we were home, understanding again how the world works in this place.

A military leader asked after Jesus since his beloved servant was dying. This leader had learned the way of the people and followed their ways of respect and honor. He did not run to Jesus but asked the appropriate people. In living his life this way, he was respected and trusted. His honesty and faith touched even Jesus. Here was a man who welcomed different ways and respected home rule and honored the ways of the people. Healing came with such respect and faithfulness. Healing was a gift from the Divine when we are humble enough to know where home is, and when we honor the gifts and the people we have been given. And love bring healing no matter where home is found.

Today, I ask God to help me honor and respect the people and their ways in our adopted home. Like the Centurion, we are far from family, so help us to make the people our family. May er who ventured far from our peoples' lands, have respect and honor for the local ways. And may we have faith that God will be with us wherever we are, bringing good news and healing to all who seek the love of God.