The Centurion's Clarity

Day 20 – O’Keefe – Recalling the Centurion

At every Mass, Catholics join in a short prayer about hospitality, recalling the words of a Roman military officer who asked Jesus for help.  Just before we receive communion, the priest speaks the words of John the Baptist: “Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world.”  The congregation responds with a short prayer, altering the words of the centurion slightly, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed.”  The words contain several lessons about hospitality to strangers, including immigrants.

The words that we repeat come from a story that appears in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.  The centurion, an officer in an occupying army, asked Jesus to heal his servant.  Jesus is prepared to come see the servant, but the centurion limits his request: I am not worthy to be blessed by having you visit my home; do not trouble yourself to visit; just heal my servant from afar.

Four points about this story.

First, in Luke’s Gospel, the story of the centurion is paired with another story of healing.  The second story is about a widow, whose only son has died.  Jesus restores the son to life.  The pair of healings shows Jesus fulfilling one part of the Law of Moses; he shows a special concern for the familiar trio, widows and orphans and strangers.

Second, the centurion had a correct attitude toward hospitality.  He understands that the host is blessed by a visit more than the guest is blessed.

Third, the centurion was clear about his own power and dignity.  He gave orders to his servants, and also had about 100 soldiers under his command.  He had exercised authority, and had seen obedience.  Further, he was a commanding officer in an army of occupation; he was in Israel to make sure that the Jews were properly subservient to Rome.  And yet, his request to Jesus is carefully limited.  He makes a request for someone else – for his paralyzed servant – and not for himself.  And understands Jesus’ busy schedule; just give the order, he asks.  (Note: Jesus has given us orders too.)

Fourth, he knows something about Jesus.  He believes that he can heal, and believes that he can do so without a lot of fuss.  He treats Jesus as his superior.

The words of the centurion reflect the right attitude toward an immigrant.  An immigrant, says Jesus to us, should be received with the same welcome that we offer him.  What we do for the immigrant, the Lord accepts as a gift to himself; and what we fail to do for the immigrant, we fail to do for the Lord.  An immigrant has the innate dignity of any child of God, carefully re-affirmed and protected by Jesus.  When an immigrant approaches, we are offered blessings that are greater than anything the immigrant receives from us. 

Claro.  Amen.

Mr. Parrott?