In Luke’s account of the passion, we are told – in our translation – that the centurion on witnessing the death of Jesus, glorifies God and says, “This man was innocent beyond doubt.”  A number of Scripture scholars argue that this is a poor translation of the original Greek.  The more accurate translation has the centurion saying, “This man was righteous beyond doubt.”  Why is this important?  A person can be innocent of a particular crime but not innocent in other aspects of life.  “Righteousness” on the other hand implies that the whole of one’s life has been actively lived in right relationship with God. 

This righteousness is witnessed in the very last words that Jesus proclaims before his death – “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”  In Hebrew tradition, it is held that these are the words a righteous person should say right before death.  “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”  Living in right relationship with God, even to the very moment of handing one’s spirit over to God in faith and trust. 

Finally, the righteousness of Christ is witnessed by the crowd of people themselves.   Luke tells us that the people went home “beating their breasts”.  This is not the chest thump of triumph.  “Beating one’s breast” is the sign of repentance.  No longer lost in the spectacle, no longer caught up in the madness of violence, the people recognize what has truly happened – a righteous man has been unjustly murdered before their eyes.  They return home repentant of the tragedy that just occurred and their part in it. 

Jesus is the righteous one, the one who obeyed his Father’s will, the one who lived his whole life in right relationship with the Father.  As we prepare to enter into Holy Week, it is worthwhile reflecting on the true righteousness of Jesus and, through that reflection, learning what it truly means to be righteous before God. 

Here are some words from our tradition to aid us in this reflection.  The words are from a contemporary translation written by David Fleming, S.J. of the “Principle  and Foundation”.  Reflecting on the great love of God and how that love is revealed to us every day, the prayer says,

In everyday life then, we must hold ourselves in balance before all created gifts insofar as we have a choice and are not bound by some responsibility.  We should not fix our desires on health or sickness, wealth or poverty, success or failure, a long life or a short one.  For everything has the potential of calling forth in us a more loving response to our life forever with God.  Our only desire and our one choice should be this: I want and I choose what better leads to God’s deepening life in me.

Jesus is the Righteous One – the centurion, the crowd and the Hebrew tradition witness it.  As we walk these days of Holy Week, it is worthwhile to pray and ask, “Jesus, help me to be righteous.  Teach me how to live in right relationship with God.”