The Centurion

During this Lenten season, it is important for us to reflect on the sacrifice of the Cross. We meditate on the greatest gift that has ever been given to the human race: the life of our Lord. Jesus, innocent of all sin, embodied the infinite love of the Father. Having endured insults and torture, He humbly gave Himself up on the Cross for the redemption of our sins. No matter how long or hard we contemplate this amazing gift, we will never fully comprehend its meaning.

Upon seeing the fulfillment of God’s Plan on the Cross, a Roman centurion, the commander of 100 soldiers was struck with profound awe. He was so moved by the final words, the last breath, and the ensuing quake that rocked the earth beneath him, that he exclaimed, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39).

This centurion is symbolic of the majority of the human race. We do not know Christ. Jesus is just another man to many of us. The centurion was a man concerned with his own affairs, not necessarily seeking the Truth. The Truth then came to him. He was given the privilege of witnessing the act which opened the gates of Heaven to us, the greatest act of love ever performed, the Crucifixion of Jesus, the Christ.

The centurion was different than most, however. He was objective. He had no preconceived notions of how the Son of God should appear. Then, at once, he was infused with grace upon seeing Christ die on the Cross. His conversion was instant and dramatic. If only we were all so objective, so open to Christ in our lives. Imagine the infusion of grace we could receive if we only asked for it.