Commentary on the Gospel of
Why do soldiers have to march rather than just walk? Because when they march they look more like a mindless machine, and this is calculated to strike fear into everyone who sees them. We have to beware of people who worship uniformity and “efficiency” - in Church and state alike. It is only about appearances. There is infinitely more vitality and creativity in the drift of ordinary life. But wait a moment! The army officer in today’s reading says to Jesus, “I am not worthy to have you under my roof.” He knew that Jews incurred ritual uncleanness on entering the house of a pagan, and he wanted to save Jesus this inconvenience. It was out of consideration that he said, “Say but the word….” He wasn’t an army man through and through. There is hope for every one of us!
