The Extraordinary Form, though we have this “magnum silencium’, which means profound silence during the whole Latin mass, has moments when the faithful are needed to speak out loud some of the responses. For example, when I say, “Ecce Agnus Dei Qui Tollis Peccata Mundi,” then the whole congregation has to join the priest together in unison repeating this prayer three times aloud; “Domine, non sum dignus ut intres sub tectum meum; sed tantum dic verbo, et sanabitur anima mea.” (Lord, I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof; but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.) I hope that everyone has memorized this phrase by heart. This is the right attitude spoken in prayer in order to express total humbling prostration before God’s holiness and total confidence in God’s graciousness.
Today’s gospel reminds us that the centurion knows that neither he nor his servant is worthy of Jesus’ attention, but he also knows that Jesus is powerful and gracious to heal. His authority and his uniform don’t make him worthy of Jesus’ attention, nor does the generosity involved in presenting his request because of his status. What makes him worthy to be listened to by Jesus is his faith, which makes him an acceptable quest at the banquet of the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus says, “Amen I say to you, I have not found so great faith in Israel.” It is the centurion’s faith that makes Jesus’ heart move and He gives His consent to provide healing to the sick servant.
What lessons can we derive from this gospel pericope?
First, the centurion realizes that the moment he meets Jesus personally entering Capernaum, he feels that he was stripped of his authority, and he was humbled. Instead of being subject to the Roman power, he becomes a mere follower and servant of the Lord.
Second, the centurion’s words suggest that he recognizes Jesus, not as an ordinary man, but rather indicates a total surrender and awareness that Jesus is the one to whom true authority and power belong. According to the centurion‘s words, all those under him obey his words, then this time, before Jesus, he would have said these words,“If those under me do what I command at my word, surely You who have ultimate authority can command anything which includes something as incredible as the miracle of healing by Jesus’ very words alone.” Then Jesus said to the centurion: “Go, and as thou hast believed, so be it done to thee. And the servant was healed at the same hour.”
Brothers and Sisters, before receiving the Lord Jesus Christ in an infinitely more profound way in the Most Holy Eucharist, it is absolutely right that we should take on similar statements filled with faith, preparation, and longing to encounter the Lord, genuinely present in the Eucharist. I believe that it is a privileged encounter; therefore, we need to prepare ourselves to be interiorly clean, worthy of being the bearer of the Lord inside us. Indeed, it is an intimate union with our Lord.
I know that we are unworthy of having Him abide in us; however, let us not stop believing and recognizing the Lord in our life for all that it takes is His mighty word and our souls completely surrendering to Him, saying “But only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”
Let us humbly accept the Divine healing, love and mercy so that we may not lose that sense of sacred mystery in our midst. We will certainly grow in our own spiritual life to approach the Eucharist daily, for even Angels, Dominions, and Principalities tremble in awe. Bend our knees in adoration, praise, and thanksgiving.
God bless you.
Fr. Arlon, osa