This is going to be a short post today. My schedule is a bit shuffled this week. I’m working from home today instead of Friday since I need to be at the museum then. I’ll also be working a half day Thursday and another half day on Saturday to prepare for an early morning class next Monday. It’s much easier to set things up when the museum is closed—no worrying about securing objects while moving them around.
It’s probably for the best that today is a work-from-home day. I woke up with a headache, and I don’t think I could handle the bright lights of my office or the mix of perfumes and other scents that come with a full building. Still, there’s plenty to get done, so it’s going to be a busy one regardless.
“Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed.”
—Matthew 8:8
One of the most striking stories in the Gospels is found in Matthew 8:5–13 and Luke 7:1–10—the story of the Roman centurion and the servant he loved.
A Roman officer.
An outsider.
A man of power in a system that oppressed the very people Jesus came to teach.
And yet… he is the one who shows extraordinary faith.
The centurion comes to Jesus on behalf of his servant, who is suffering terribly. In Luke’s account, the language used suggests deep affection—this was not just any servant. The Greek word pais can mean “servant,” but it can also imply a beloved companion, even a young man with a close personal bond. Some scholars have suggested that the relationship may have been more intimate—possibly romantic. Others see it simply as a profound, devoted connection.
We may never know exactly what their relationship was, but we do know this: The centurion loved him deeply.
And he was willing to cross every social, cultural, and religious boundary to seek healing for him.
When Jesus offers to come and heal the servant, the centurion responds with words that still echo in Christian liturgy today. There is humility here—but not shame.
This is not the voice of someone who believes he is unloved. This is the voice of someone who understands authority, trust, and faith. He believes—completely—that Jesus does not even need to be physically present. A word is enough.
And Jesus responds with astonishment:
“Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.”
Here is what stands out, especially for LGBTQ+ Christians:
Jesus does not question the relationship. He does not ask for clarification. He does not require repentance. He does not set conditions.
He simply responds to faith, and He heals what love has brought before Him.
If the centurion’s bond with his servant was indeed romantic—or even just deeply unconventional—Jesus’ response is telling. The focus is not on judging the relationship, but on honoring the faith and love that compelled the centurion to act.
The centurion represents so many forms of “outsider”:
A Gentile among Jews
A soldier of an occupying force
A man of power who approaches with humility
Possibly a man whose love did not fit societal norms
And yet, he is held up as an example of faith.
Not tolerated. Not quietly accepted.Praised.
The words of the hymn “Faith Is the Victory” echo the spirit of this story:
Encamped along the hills of light, Ye Christian soldiers, rise, And press the battle ere the night Shall veil the glowing skies; Against the foe in vales below Let all our strength be hurled; Faith is the victory, we know, That overcomes the world.
Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory! O glorious victory, That overcomes the world.
For those of us who have ever wondered:
Am I worthy?
Does my love disqualify me?
Will I be turned away?
The story of the centurion answers with quiet, powerful clarity:
Faith is not limited by who you are. Love is not erased by how others define it. And Christ meets us exactly where we stand.
The weather’s warming up, which means shorts season is back—and when a guy in loose shorts sits down, one has to wonder… where do your eyes go first? Perfectly innocent, of course.
…face it—you know this is what you really want to do.
This may only make sense to Southerners—or any college football fan—but if I included an Auburn pic, I had to include one for Alabama too.
I’m still in the middle of using up my vacation days, and today is one of those rare, wonderful days when I have absolutely nothing I have to do. There are certainly things I should do—and I probably will get around to a few of them—but nothing is pressing, nothing is urgent, and that makes all the difference.
Much to Isabella’s chagrin, I slept later than usual this morning. She does not approve of any deviation from her carefully curated schedule—especially when it involves her breakfast being delayed—but she has, for the moment, resigned herself to my laziness.
At this point, there’s not even a compelling reason to get dressed. The coffee is hot, the house is quiet, and the day is mine to ease into at whatever pace I choose. Honestly, those are the best kinds of mornings.
We’ve had two beautiful days of weather—nothing but sunshine. Wednesday was pleasantly mild, while yesterday turned a bit colder and windier. Today, though, looks like it’s shaping up to be just right: sunny with mild temperatures. It might be the perfect excuse to take a walk later and enjoy a bit of fresh air.
But for now? I think I’ll stay right here, sip my coffee, and enjoy the simple luxury of doing absolutely nothing for a little while longer.
Two weeks from today, I’ll be packing up my car and heading to Montreal for a few days. I haven’t been since 2019, and I’ve really missed it. There was a time when I made the trip at least once a year, but that hasn’t been the case since COVID, and it feels long overdue.
I usually stay in the Village—or right on the edge of it—which means that’s where I spend most of my time. I’m sure my evenings (and probably my nights) will be spent there again, but during the day, I’m hoping to explore a bit more—visit a few museums, maybe do some shopping, and just enjoy being back in the city.
I know I have a few readers in Montreal, so if you have any “must do” recommendations, let me know. I’d love to hear them. And who knows—maybe we could even arrange a little Closet Professor coffee meetup while I’m there. It’s always been such a pleasure to meet readers in person. On one of my first trips, I met JiEL, which was especially nice.
In the meantime, today is all about getting ready for the trip in a more practical way. I was off work yesterday for my Botox injections for migraines—always a fun time—and I’m using up a few of those “take ‘em or lose ‘em” vacation days before they disappear into the bureaucratic abyss. So I’ve had a little extra time to get things lined up.
This morning, I’ll be spending it at the mechanic getting new tires, an oil change, and my annual state inspection. If my car passes inspection without any surprise add-ons, it will be nothing short of a miracle. I’m convinced no one ever passes a Vermont inspection on the first try. I’m pretty sure they found something the very first time I brought my car in—when I’d only had it for a week.
Part of that may be because I bought the car in New Hampshire—it was several thousand dollars cheaper—but that meant having it inspected here in Vermont, even though it was brand new. The two states have different inspection requirements, which seems a bit ridiculous to me. You’d think something as basic as vehicle safety standards would be consistent across states. But then again, Vermont has always liked doing things its own way. There’s a reason you see those bumper stickers that say, “Keep Vermont Weird.”
Joe
The Closet Professor 