“Lord, I Am Not Worthy”
I always tell Catholics that they know a lot more Scripture than
First, the priest elevates the host and quotes John 1:29 and
Revelation 19:9. “Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes
away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper
of the Lamb.”
The congregation responds with a quote from Matthew 8:8. Jesus
agrees to go to the home of a Roman centurion and heal his servant.
The centurion replies, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should
enter under my roof, but only say the word and my servant shall
be healed.” At Mass, we personalize the passage and pray that our
“soul shall be healed.”
Isn’t it true that we are not worthy? Who are we to take the Author
of Life, the God of the Universe onto our tongue and into our bodies?
And yet, Jesus calls us to Himself. We are made worthy by His
Blood, by His sacrifice. As we walk up to receive Jesus - Body,
Blood, Soul and Divinity - in Holy Communion, we pray for our
healing. And just as Jesus healed the centurion’s servant, in the
Eucharist, we are healed.
For further study:
John 1:29 • Revelation 19:9 • Matthew 8:5-13
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they think they do. This is because the Mass is loaded with
Scripture; and that’s over and above the many readings at
every Mass!
Perhaps the best example of this is right before we receive Communion.
Notes