A TALE OF THE CENTURION – ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE ASTONISHED by Joan Foo Mahony
Smitten By Faith Issue # 00065 June 8th 2023
In the remarkable era of the vast ancient Roman Empire from its founding in 625 BCE to its fall in 476 CE, the Romans conquered and integrated dozens of cultures and lands stretching through three continents from Great Britain to Mesopotamia and North Africa. To conquer and hold on to this huge empire for over one thousand years, the Romans had its legendary military force nonpareil - well-trained, well-equipped and well-organised soldiers in armies divided into legions and smaller units. The commanders of the smaller units were known as ‘Centurions’. Each Centurion was an officer with authority over at least 100 other men and the name comes from the Latin word ‘centuria’ for the number ‘100’. Similar to perhaps the modern day military equivalent of ‘Sergeants’, Centurions were mostly enlisted men promoted through the ranks after 15 to 20 years of service. These battled-hardened leaders were vital to maintain discipline and training in the ranks. In battle, Centurions stood in the front lines rallying and fighting toe to toe with their men.
From 63 BCE to 313 CE the Romans ruled the lands known as Judea, Samaria and Galilee ( today’s modern Israel). Through those many hundreds of years of Roman rule, the ubiquitous presence of the Roman army and its Centurions were part of the ‘landscape’ – watched, feared and probably despised by most of the Jewish population.
Top Right : A painting by the famous French 19th century artist, Jacques Joseph Tissot, better known as James Tissot (1836-1902). His oil painting, ‘The Centurion’ was painted between 1886-1889 and now hangs at the Brooklyn Museum, New York.
Top Left : A Centurion in full battle gear – picture from the public domain. A Roman soldier had to march around 20 miles a day with full armour and kit weighing as much as 20 kilograms !
Bottom left : Detail picture of a Centurion’s armour. See the heavy breastplates, shin protectors and chain mail armour of the Roman soldier. Each Centurion also carried a ‘gladius’, a sword 18 to 24 inches long with a cup-shaped pommel. It was double-edged but specially designed for thrusting and stabbing because such wounds were more deadly than cuts.
Bottom right : Map of the ancient Roman Empire stretching through 3 continents.
JESUS IS ASTONISHED BY THE FAITH OF CORNELIUS THE CENTURION
In the 4 Gospels, we see the word ‘astonish’ repeated many times to refer to the followers and believers of Jesus Christ – how they were astonished by Jesus – his teachings and his miracles. Never was this word ‘astonish’ applied to Jesus himself. Yet, in the Gospels of Matthew 8 : 5-15 and Luke 7: 1-10, we see the two evangelists mentioning for the first and only time - Jesus allowing himself to be astonished, to be amazed, to be surprised - by someone else. We see something strange and wonderful happening, especially when that ‘someone else’ involves a Roman Centurion !
Now, come with me to the town of Capernaum in Galilee in 33CE and let’s see what happens.
It is getting late. It has been a long and momentous day. Jesus has just finished his awesome Sermon on the Mount of Beatitudes and as he walks back to Capernaum with his Apostles and followers, he is probably tired out but elated. As Jesus enters the town he is confronted by an excited group of JEWISH elders. They gather around Jesus and speak urgently to him about a ROMAN Centurion called Cornelius who serves in Caesarea under the command of the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate. They tell Jesus that this Centurion has a servant who is very dear to him and who will surely die without a miracle from Jesus. They tell Jesus that the Centurion knows about the miraculous healing powers of Jesus and he has asked the Jewish elders to intercede with Jesus on his behalf.
Who is this Centurion Cornelius ? Why does the Centurion not come himself ? Why are the Jewish elders interceding for a hated enemy ?
Left : An ancient icon called ‘The Examples of Faith (vi) The Centurion’ extracted from the Opus Dei 05.22.2015 newsletter. See Jesus standing next to the Centurion and his dying servant.
Right : Painting by the Renaissance master, Paolo Veronese (1528-1588), ‘Jesus Healing the Servant of the Centurion’.
The answer can be found in the Gospel of Luke where he writes that Cornelius was not just a mere Centurion. Under the supreme authority of the Roman emperor, he was actually also the Captain of a Roman cohort known as the ‘Cohors Italica’ or the ‘Italian Cohort’ which was made up of 480 men, roughly the equivalent of a modern military battalion. However, as a military commander Cornelius a ‘Gentile’ or a non-Jew was different. He was a God-fearing man who prayed and was full of good works and alms-giving. He was most of all, a friend of the Jews and had helped them build their synagogue. All this the Jewish elders told the surprised Jesus.
As to why the Centurion had not come himself, the elders told Jesus that the reason why Cornelius did not come himself and go on his hands and knees to beg Jesus was because he, the mighty Roman Centurion said that he was “not worthy” !
“ He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
“When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.”
Luke 7: 1-10
So, let’s look at this again. Cornelius the Centurion and powerful leader of the Italian Cohort, says in all humility ( “ …I am not worthy”) to ask Jesus to perform a miracle for his lowly servant. As a man of authority himself, Cornelius believes - he knows - that only Christ alone can heal his servant. This centurion has no doubts that Jesus can accomplish whatever he desires.
So, what does Jesus say to the Jewish elders in reply to Cornelius ?
If only we could travel back in our time machine, we would have been able to see and enjoy the look of utter astonishment, amazement and joy in the face of Jesus Christ to hear these words from a Roman Centurion, a non-Jew, an authoritative military figure, a known enemy of the Jews saying to a JEW that he, a ROMAN conqueror was not worthy ! This was more than incredible. And indeed Jesus allowed himself to be surprised ; to be amazed - as indeed so beautifully captured by the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Such living faith from the Centurion. ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE AMAZED ! Jesus was amazed. And, that was in fact exactly what Jesus then said :
“ He looked back at the friend and then to the elders. Then he turned and scanned his eyes over his disciples and the small crowd of people who had followed him down the mountain. Then he said, loud enough for everyone to hear, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith."
Luke 7:9
Left : ‘Saint Peter Baptizing the Centurion Cornelius’, by Francesco Trevisani (1709)
Right : The painting here is by Gerbrand van den Eckhout. See the angel appearing to the Roman centurion Cornelius. The angel tells him to seek out St. Peter and be baptised.
Why was this faith of the Centurion so significant ? When Jesus decided to go to the Centurion’s home – he, a non-Jew and an enemy, Jesus action was curious and must have caused some consternation among his apostles and followers. And yet, Jesus went to the home of the enemy. Of course, at the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus had preached exactly that – love one another ; love your enemy. So he would have gone anyway.
No, what was significant about Jesus going to the home of Cornelius the Centurion to heal the servant was not the miracle itself; not just showing the importance of loving the enemy but the acknowledgement from Jesus Christ himself that here was a man who was a Roman and not a Jew who showed more faith than any of the Jews of Judea and Galilee; more faith than any of Jesus’ own Jewish friends and neighbours. Here was the Centurion - a man whose living faith surprised and astounded Jesus. Why ? Because the Centurion’s faith was not based on learning the Jewish scriptures nor growing up with Jesus the ‘son’ of a carpenter in Nazareth. Cornelius’ faith came from the authority he bore as a military leader and his recognition of the authority of Jesus whose authority came from God himself. This divine authority was even more powerful than that of any human leader and as a commander himself, the Centurion certainly recognised this. In the Gospel of Matthew 8, this Centurion understands that Jesus is a man of greater power and authority than anyone in the earthly Roman empire. And so, the Centurion had total faith that Jesus needed only to speak just a word and his servant would be healed. “…Only say the word and my servant will be healed.”
It’s a powerful faith indeed. As a non-believer, here we have the Roman Cornelius openly and unashamedly proclaiming his faith in the divine authority of Jesus who saw at once that it would be Cornelius the Centurion who would usher in the great plan of God – that it would be the faith of non-Jews – of all nationalities - who would indeed be the ones who would grow the Christian faith beyond the land of Israel.
Cornelius represents what an on-going living encounter with Jesus would be like. Christianity is after all, a living faith – not just what is written in the Old Testament thousands of years ago. It is a faith which lives on with daily encounters and that "many would come from the east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 8:11
WHAT ABOUT US ? WHATEVER OUR FAITHS, ARE WE LIVING OUR FAITHS OUT LOUD ?
I grew up in a Catholic home where we always had a big picture of the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ placed high up above the entrance door to our home. That was my mother’s doing. To us children growing up, it was perfectly normal and we never questioned it. Jesus and Mary were part of our lives. However, in our modern interior design scheme most of us don't display this right at the entrance. In fact, I don't either. But in my case, I am lucky enough to have the space to create a small private chapel inside my home. It is of course, more discreet. But now I ask myself, am I proclaiming my faith loud enough ?
Also, in my study room where I write each day, there is a lovely Byzantine era icon of ‘Our Lady of Silence’ on my desk watching over me as I work. I take a lot of comfort in that.
Saying grace before meals – even in public – can bring all kinds of interesting encounters. I recall a missionary telling me how one day at a restaurant in China, she quietly said grace before her solitary meal, making a sign of the cross. Suddenly, a complete stranger approaches her and invites her to join his table where his entire, obviously Christian family is sitting. They greet her with smiles of joy and her meal with this family was one of openness and joy in the sharing.
Yes, each day can be a living encounter with faith if we live our faith openly.
And finally – and most importantly, do you know that each day - every day - what has turned out to be the immortal words of Cornelius the Centurion are repeated during the rite of the Holy Eucharist by millions of Catholics at mass celebrated in every corner of the world.
“Lord I am not worthy … but only say the word and my soul will be healed.”
And speaking of the Holy Eucharist, for those who have been regularly following us, you will see that today’s article is published on a Thursday instead of the usual Saturdays ! This is because today, Thursday 8th June is the Feast of Corpus Christi or the Feast of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, a day which celebrates the institution of the Holy Eucharist - the sacred mystery of His body and blood. This day was also the day of Jesus’ Last Supper with his Apostles. For Christians, a very special day indeed.
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