44 It was now about noon, and darkness covered the whole earth until about three o’clock, 45 while the sun stopped shining. Then the curtain in the sanctuary tore down the middle. 46 Crying out in a loud voice, Jesus said, “Father, into your hands I entrust my life.”[a] After he said this, he breathed for the last time.
47 When the centurion saw what happened, he praised God, saying, “It’s really true: this man was righteous.” 48 All the crowds who had come together to see this event returned to their homes beating their chests after seeing what had happened. 49 And everyone who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance observing these things.
Reflection
Have you ever wondered about the centurion who stood at the foot of the cross as Jesus took His last breath? Who was he? What became of him after that moment? Did he later witness the Resurrection? How did this experience shape the rest of his life?
Each of the Gospels references a Roman soldier or centurion present at Jesus’ death. In Luke’s account, this man responds with a profound confession: “It’s really true: this man was righteous.” (23:47) In that moment, it seems like something changed within this centurion.
Some Christian traditions give this centurion a name, Longinus. According to these traditions, he was the soldier who pierced Jesus’ side with a spear to make sure he was dead (John 19:34). Some traditions even suggest that Longinus suffered from poor eyesight and that when the blood and water flowed from Jesus’ side after he pierced him, some of Jesus blood got on his face, and his sight was miraculously fully restored. Tradition goes on to say that Longinus later encountered the risen Christ, returned to his homeland of Cappadocia (modern-day Turkey), proclaimed the Gospel there, and ultimately died as a martyr.
While Scripture does not confirm these details, and the surviving written historical record remains uncertain, the story of Longinus has endured in the life of the Church. Longinus is honored as a saint in both the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox tradition, not because every detail is certain, but because his story points to a deeper truth. That an encounter with Jesus changes everything. And that is something we can relate to.
While none of us stood at the foot of the cross, witnessed the darkness, heard Jesus’ final words, or saw the curtain of the Temple torn in two. Through faith, we can experience the same shock and awe that Longinus experienced. When Jesus breathed His last, the barrier between God and humanity was torn apart forevermore. Access to God was no longer limited, Jesus opened it for all.
So like Longinus, we are called to respond. Will we simply observe what Jesus has done? Or will we allow it to transform us. The tradition of Longinus challenges us not just to acknowledge the cross, but to be changed by it. To move from curiosity to conviction. From observation to proclamation.
As we reflect on the cross and Jesus’ sacrifice this Good Friday, may we not leave unchanged. May we, like this mysterious centurion, Longinus, recognize who Jesus truly is and may that recognition shape the way we live, speak, and love.
by Manny Estevez
For Pondering and Prayer
How does reflecting on Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross change your life today and forevermore?
Prayer: Jesus, we don’t have the words to adequately express our gratitude for what You have done for us on the cross. Help us to never take your sacrifice for granted. Transform our hearts, our minds, and our lives by Your love and grace, so that we may boldly proclaim Your good news to everyone we encounter. Amen.
