Gospel in Art: The Centurion said: 'I am not worthy to have you under my roof'

Romano-British, Bronze cavalry helmet, first century © British Museum, London

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 18 September 2023
Luke 7:1-10

When Jesus had come to the end of all he wanted the people to hear, he went into Capernaum. A centurion there had a servant, a favourite of his, who was sick and near death. Having heard about Jesus he sent some Jewish elders to him to ask him to come and heal his servant.

When they came to Jesus they pleaded earnestly with him. 'He deserves this of you' they said 'because he is friendly towards our people; in fact, he is the one who built the synagogue.' So Jesus went with them, and was not very far from the house when the centurion sent word to him by some friends: 'Sir,' he said 'do not put yourself to trouble; because I am not worthy to have you under my roof; and for this same reason I did not presume to come to you myself; but give the word and let my servant be cured. For I am under authority myself, and have soldiers under me; and I say to one man: Go, and he goes; to another: Come here, and he comes; to my servant: Do this, and he does it.'

When Jesus heard these words he was astonished at him and, turning round, said to the crowd following him, 'I tell you, not even in Israel have I found faith like this.' And when the messengers got back to the house they found the servant in perfect health.

Reflection on the 1st century Roman helmet

The words of the centurion in today's Gospel reading have made their way into our Eucharist, 'Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed'. The Roman centurion showed tremendous humility and faith. Firstly, he spoke as a pagan who did not want Jesus the Jew to be in breach of the Jewish Law by entering the house of a pagan. He put Jesus first and did not want to cause any trouble for him. Secondly, the centurion also showed tremendous faith in the life-giving power of Jesus' word: 'Only say the word and my servant shall be healed'. A very powerful statement of faith.

The gospel reading suggests that faith can be found in the most unlikely of people and we should never second-guess who is a person of faith and who is not.

Our Roman helmet dates back to the 1st century and may well be very similar to the one the centurion would have worn. The helmet would have protected the wearer's head with an inner iron head-piece and neck-guard. Normal soldiers would have worn a simple headpiece, largely without the metal sides. Only generals and centurions would have had metal side cheek-pieces, rather than leather ones, to give them extra protection.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-7-1-10-2023/