ROSEMARY Theobalds, a member of St Mary’s RC Church, comments on Luke 7 v 1-10:

A WEEK ago, I was walking in Brockwell Park, in South London , its winding paths lined with dozens of seats dedicated to much-loved mothers, fathers, husbands and wives who have enjoyed the park during their life-times.

This week’s passage tells us about a Roman centurion facing the loss of one of his favourite servants who was sick and near death.

This centurion must have observed Jesus going about his work of teaching, telling stories and healing sick people as he was doing his work of keeping order in occupied Palestine.

He did not feel able to approach Jesus himself and sent some local (Jewish) people to ask him to come and heal his servant.

We are told that they pleaded with Jesus to come because they had grown to like this centurion who behaved not as an occupying law-enforcer, but as a friend to the local people.

The centurion thought of his authority to give commands which would be obeyed, and as Jesus was on his way, he sent friends to tell him not to trouble himself further, but simply give the order for his servant to be healed and it would be so.

Jesus is struck by his confident faith and trust, and turns to the crowd and challenges them to think about the centurion’s amazing faith, even though he would be considered a pagan. When the friends return to the house, they find the servant healed.

The centurion saw something in Jesus which his heart responded to. What are we not seeing? What can a dedicated park bench say to me?