What would it take for someone to would recognize that Jesus was the Son of God? Maybe it would be when he cured the paralyzed man? Or when he raised Jairus’ daughter from death? Maybe when he fed five thousand with only five loaves and two fish? Perhaps walking on water or calming the storm would produce the insight? The transfiguration on Mt. Tabor provided a good opportunity. Or the adoring crowds on the first Palm Sunday would ramp up the Hosannas and give him his proper title? According to St. Mark’s Gospel no one proclaimed Jesus as the Son of God after any of these miraculous and marvelous events. The first person, the first individual to recognize Jesus’ true identity as the Son of God was not anyone who claimed to be a disciple but a Roman solider who was supervising his execution. When the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” No one knew who Jesus was until the cross.
“When he saw how he died” he knew who he was. What did he see? To answer that we should look at the epistle, St. Paul to the Philippians. According to the ancient hymn, Jesus did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, Jesus died not grasping but emptying. The Centurion saw that Jesus on the cross was someone who was more about giving than getting. He was not seeking something for himself but sacrificing himself for others. That is how you recognize the presence of God.
As then, so now. To see God is with us today look for those who empty themselves for others. Sacrifice is usually difficult and irksome. (Think how much we resent having to give up being with others during the pandemic!) Only love can make it easy and perfect love can make it a joy. (Think of the sacrifices parents make for their children!) We are willing to give in proportion to our love and when the love is perfect the sacrifice is complete. That’s what the centurion saw on the cross. That is the example we are all called to imitate. That is the challenge for each one of us as we enter into this holy week.
