Centurion

by Mary Luti | published on Jan 16, 2026

A centurion came to [Jesus], saying, “Lord, my servant is at home paralyzed, in terrible distress.” And he said to him, “I will come and cure him.” The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed.” – Matthew 8:5-8 (NRSV) 

Most Catholics know the centurion’s reply by heart. They recite it at every Mass before receiving Communion: “O Lord, I am not worthy…” But many progressive Protestants find those words unutterable before receiving Communion, or at any other time. We recoil from anything that questions our fundamental goodness in God’s sight. Not for us this self-abasing confession. 

But when I remember that it’s a Roman centurion who utters these words, it’s hope—not self-abasement—I feel in his confession.  

Here is an enforcer of the Empire’s military dominance, striding though the world powerful, confident, and unafraid, backed by full imperial authority, accustomed to great latitude in the exercise of brute force, issuing orders and expecting to be obeyed—or else. He can crush you on a whim, crucify you and not feel a thing.  

If someone like him can come to Jesus, moved by a servant’s suffering; if someone like him can confess that his power is powerless; if someone like him can see that his high worth is worthless, maybe there’s hope for me and you—wallowing oh-so-worthily in our own self-importance and privilege—to be converted to mercy. 

And maybe there’s still hope for the world’s haughty powers, that one day they’ll be moved by their victims’ suffering, utter an honest word, discard their overweening pride, lose their lust for dominance, abandon their trust in violence, humbly come to the One in whom all have sacred worth, and pray with a faith that amazes: 

Prayer
O Lord, I am not worthy, but only speak the word, and I will be healed.

Mary Luti About the Author
Mary Luti is a long time seminary educator and pastor, author of Teresa of Avila’s Way and numerous articles, and founding member of The Daughters of Abraham, a national network of interfaith women’s book groups.