“Short Stories, Lasting Calls” Part 8: The Centurion
September 10, 2023 — Ordinary Time
Luke 23:32-47
Pastor Mike
To the Centurion serving under the governorship of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem and duly appointed as overseer of the execution of Jesus of Nazareth:
Dear Sir,
Word – and we trust it is only hearsay – has come to Rome concerning your conduct during the recent execution of Jesus of Nazareth. More than one witness alleges that immediately after his official death upon the cross you pronounced him innocent, and what is more, that you pronounced this in the form of praise to his God, the God of the Jews.
Certainly you understand how such a statement, spoken by the presiding officer at a Roman cross, might be construed not only as a judgement against your own participation in this execution, but also against the soundness of Rome’s legal apparatus and the sovereign rule of Tiberius, lord of heaven and earth. Centurions, if they value their station, do not make such judgements.
Come, remove rumor’s stain from your unblemished record of service. We have it from Pilate that this was not your first crucifixion, that you have stood by the crosses of common criminals, prisoners of war, and traitors. Did these words pass your lips? We have no doubt that you will clear your good name.
The Secretary of the Military under Emperor Tiberius, Lord of Heaven and Earth
Rome
***
To the Secretary of the Military under Emperor Tiberius in Rome,
Dear Sir,
I have received your letter bearing the seal of Tiberius. Contrary to your hopes, I must confess that the report which has reached you in Rome is no mere rumor. The allegations made against me are accurate. As Jesus of Nazareth died, I declared his innocence – to the great confusion and indignation of the soldiers under my authority that day. To my own confusion as well. We had, after, just executed him.
About Jesus of Nazareth I must say that I have never seen such dignity in suffering before, nor been the recipient of so great a kindness in the midst of such horror. “Certainly this man was innocent.” That’s what I said. I will always remember those words. They leapt from my lips involuntarily. It was an outburst I could not hold back, despite, as you have noted, my many years of training and leadership under the shadows of crosses.
While I cannot clear my name, ever since I spoke those words my soul feels washed clean.
I doubt this is the last I will hear from you and the high court of Tiberius,
May he live forever.
Your Centurion
Jerusalem
***
To the Centurion serving under the governorship of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem and duly appointed as overseer of the execution of Jesus of Nazareth:
Dear Sir,
Was Jesus of Nazareth not condemned for insurrection by Pilate, governor of Judaea? Was Jesus of Nazareth not condemned for blasphemy by the leaders of his own people? By what authority could you possibly have declared his innocence?
You have admitted to unforgivable unsoldierly conduct during the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. What is worse, reports are now streaming in from both Jerusalem and Galilee alleging that this very man you executed has been seen alive by certain of his followers.
This places you under great suspicion. Explain yourself at once. What happened that day?
The Secretary of the Military under Emperor Tiberius, Lord of Heaven and Earth
Rome
***
To the Secretary of the Military under Emperor Tiberius in Rome,
Dear Sir,
I am a man of duty, and I have never failed to honor the law of Rome. I have led men in the glories of conquest, suppressed uprisings, overseen crucifixions. I have felt, especially at crosses, as any living man must feel from time to time, twinges of sympathy and sorrow. But I have never been slowed by such feelings. I have felt strange impulses to irrational gentleness, but I have never indulged them. I have suffered a horrible sense of ambivalence, but I have never been paralyzed by it. No, I have always done what I was ordered to do – immediately, coolly, with an inner remove and outer zeal that befits a true servant of Rome. I was, therefore, invested with authority, and I have demanded the same quality of obedience from those who heed my voice.
As we nailed Jesus of Nazareth to his cross, as we taunted him, he spoke words of forgiveness over us. We crucified a thief on either side of him, and he used his last breaths to promise them a place in his paradise. And when the sky darkened overhead, he died with utmost dignity, commending his spirit into the hands of his God, the one he called Father. It was as if he, not the cross, had the power to decide when his sufferings were complete.
The whole purpose of crucifixion, as I have understood and practiced it, is to separate a man from his dignity, from his fundamental authority over his life. In this way he dies disgraced and becomes a Nobody – not only to Rome but also to himself.
But this Jesus, nothing could be taken from him .Yet he continued giving of himself until the end. For the first time I let myself touch those feelings that I have never let myself touch when standing beneath a cross. Despite all my formation, despite the hardness of my armor, those words of praise – “Certainly this man was innocent” – left my mouth. And as I spoke them I felt ecstatic – not joyful but possessed – as if I had been taken over, as if I was melting away, and it was not all bad. No, not bad at all.
That is what happened. Jesus of Nazareth was a contradiction – an innocent man executed, an unforgiven man forgiving. We were a contradiction – dolling out injustice as justice. My confession – it contradicted not only my actions that day, but all I have staked my life upon. That is how I will explain myself – by unexplaining myself!
I doubt this will be received favorably in the court of Tiberius. As I have reported, Jesus prayed to his God that I be forgiven. I only ask the same mercy of our great Emperor,
May he reign forever,
Your Centurion
Jerusalem
***
To the Centurion serving under the governorship of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem and duly appointed as overseer of the execution of Jesus of Nazareth:
Dear Sir,
The correspondence between yourself and my Secretary has been brought to my attention. Yours is a case of utmost alarm. I strip you immediately of your station as Centurion, and I order you to report to Rome with the utmost haste. You will stand trial for your defiance.
I write this with my own hand. Perhaps you need a reminder of who it is you serve.
Pilate has received his own instructions to prepare an escort for you.
Do not fail to come,
Tiberius, Lord of Heaven and Earth
Rome
***
To the Emperor Tiberius in Rome,
I shall come to Rome and testify. But under whose authority I will stand, and by whose authority I will speak, I no longer know.
Your former Centurion,
Jerusalem
***
To Mary of Nazareth, in Galilee, the mother of Jesus of Nazareth, recently crucified, purportedly appearing, called Christ:
Dear woman,
I brought upon you what I am sure were the most agonizing hours of your life. I am the man, until recently a Centurion of Rome, who gave the orders on Golgotha, and oversaw the execution of your son.
I have done a great injustice. Jesus was innocent. He should not have been crucified. Should anyone be crucified? I am not telling you anything you do not know.
My years of experience as a soldier have taught me to recognize power when I see it. I have never seen power as pure as your son’s. I am versed in the power that binds and compels, but I see now that that is a small power, rooted in fear and in law. There is also the power which releases and gives, and that is a very great power. Jesus released us soldiers, praying for our forgiveness before we knew our need for it. He released the criminals hung on either side of him into the hope of Paradise. And he released himself into the hands of his Father God.
I lost myself – found myself? – at the cross. I pronounced him innocent as he died, the man I just finished crucifying! My words were heard and reported by others, and I have now been summoned to Rome to stand trial for subversion.
I would not be shocked to learn that it is true what many are saying: that he has been released from death and is alive. I’m not even sure it would be a miracle – I’m not certain Jesus was ever really bound. Can it be said that we killed him?
Your song is being sung by those who followed him, here in the city. You conceived it along with him, yes? As far as I can tell, it is a true song. My inmost thoughts have been scattered. I have been brought low and emptied. And your son, he is the lowly one lifted up – exalted, filled.
This is the last letter I will ever write.
Many looked on from afar that day. I want you to know what was seen and heard and felt by one who stood up close, and was changed.
I cling to his prayer for me.
Your servant,
Dominic
***
To Dominic, a former Centurion standing trial in Rome:
My child,
Grace overshadows us when we are at our most inadequate. Grace pierces us when we are most hardened against it. This is the way of God. To consent to it is salvation.
Whatever happens to you in Rome, I am glad that my son happened to you.
Mary
Nazareth, in Galilee