The centurion exclaimed, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my servant shall be healed.”
During the Holy Mass we exclaim on three occasions, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”
This statement should cause us to reflect upon the One who we are about to receive. At that moment we glance at Christ, present with us in the Most Holy Eucharist, and proclaim our unworthiness that has been brought about by sin.
Despite his unworthiness, the centurion cried out to the Lord in faith. He was not rebuked by him for his unworthiness for the Lord acknowledged his faith. Therefore, the Lord exclaimed unto him, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith…You may go; as you have believed, let it be done for you.”
The centurion was a government official. He thus had a lot of power and authority and yet he still subjected himself to Christ. He acknowledged that he was a broken man who was in in need of the Lord’s presence. He opened the depths of his heart in order that he would come into this healing encounter with he Lord.
So too each of us have been broken down by the weight of sin. Original sin has creeped into the world due to the Fall and we thus continue to feel its effect. Nevertheless, we must realize our dependence upon the Lord and be willing to invite Him to enter into our own life in order that we may be healed.
The centurion could of rejected the Lord, but instead cried out to Him in faith. Likewise, we can reject the Lord if we so wish. Hopefully we will allow nothing to separate us from the love of Christ. Wealth and our passions can never heal us for we will find that healing in Christ alone if we so wish to prevail ourself onto Him.
When we make an Examination of Conscience we call to mind our sinfulness in order that we may turn toward the Lord in order that we may be healed. Sin is an offense against God, but God is merciful to those who prevail themself to Him. Let us be willing to turn toward Him in faith in order that we may be healed.
As we come to exclaim this threefold profession of faith let us be found attentive to the one whom we are called to receive. Let us not rush past this moment, but always be found prepared for our encounter with Christ. No matter what the world tells us there is nothing which is greater than this encounter. The centurion came to discover this and so let us join with him in inviting the Lord to enter under our roof.
