It is faith
And not the trappings
Of faith
That please you
The centurion
Did not follow
The rites
He was not circumsized
He was not a Jew
But he accepted your
Teachings
He gave
Generously
He loved
Deeply
His slave was suffering
In pain
And at the point of death
Only then
Does he ask a favor
Of the Jews he gave to
Without recompense
The centurion was at the top
His slave
At the bottom
Of power and status
The centurion understood your
Power
The way we all do
Metaphorically
From our own lives
He knew your power
Is not dependent on
Props
He didn’t ask you to
Perform a miracle
To boost his faith
He asked you to
Perform a miracle
Because of his faith
… and for his beloved
There are so many
non-Christians
Who put us to shame
In their acts of kindness
And sacrifice for others
It matters little to you
If we call ourselves
Christian
If we don’t serve you
With our faith
Help me
To grow a faith
Like this Roman heathen
That I may witness
Your miracles
Luke 7:1-10
