Unworthy

Our Gospel reading begins: “When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, ‘Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.’  He said to him, ‘I will come and cure him.’  The centurion said in reply, ‘Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.”

We recognize the centurion’s response as our response during Mass just before we receive the body of Christ.  Some have asked why we must claim we are “unworthy.”  Aren’t we made in the image of God?  Should we approach the altar as an unworthy person to receive with our heads down instead of with eyes up to see the host raised before us?

We can assume the Roman centurion was not a Christian, so he insisted he was not worthy; that is, he did not merit Jesus’ attention.  However, he clearly recognized Jesus’ power to heal, and he certainly had compassion for his servant.  One would think that made him worthy as we all are when we show care and compassion for others.

Perhaps we are always unworthy because even when we approach the altar and extend our hands (or tongues) we still harbor grudges and have not forgiven all those who have trespassed against us.  We know we are guilty.

Perhaps we have not been delivered from evil because our hearts are still darkened by our not asking to be forgiven by those we have hurt in some way.   We know we are guilty.   When we forgive, a rose grows from the cold ash-pile of our hearts.

So, yes, we are unworthy.   By reciting the centurion’s words, we remind ourselves that we must be even more serious about our state of mind especially when we are cocky and far from humble.   We should be humble when we receive.  After all, the first will be last and the last will be first, so said Jesus and so should we live.

Deacon David Pierce