Lord, I Am not Worthy: Lenten Musings, Part II

Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.

—Matthew 8:8

When the revised and more accurate translation of the Roman Missal was promulgated in 2011 some phrases and responses familiar to churchgoers changed. For example, “and also with you” became “and with your spirit” taken from Galatians 6:18 and 2 Timothy 4:22. Another response new to the third edition of the Roman Missal presents an excellent opportunity for Lenten reflection. “Lord, I am not worthy to receive You,” was replaced with “Lord, I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.”

Speculation about the origins, reasons, and meanings of this new phraseology, in many cases, outweighed good explanation. Since this response is recited in preparation for receiving the Eucharist, some explained confidently but inaccurately that the new phrasing referred to the roof of one’s mouth. No. It does not. It is important to remember that Church teaching, prayers, and the order of Holy Mass are rooted in sacred scripture. One only need look to the Gospel of Matthew to find the origin to the humble prayer before communion. “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed” (Matthew 8:8 NAB).

Since we recite a paraphrase of this short excerpt from the Bible in community during Mass, a deeper understanding of its context and meaning is something worthy of pursuit during Lent. This short phrase offers three opportunities for mediation and contemplation, each perfectly aligned with the repentant and humble disciplines of Lent. The healing power of prayer, the service dynamic of genuine leadership, and the mercy God shows to flawed humankind.

The First Meditation: Healing

At that very hour his servant was healed.

—Matthew 8:13

Let us begin with context. After healing a leper, Jesus enters the village of Capernaum and encounters a centurion. Knowing Jesus by reputation, this Roman soldier who was in charge 100 other men, explains to Jesus the suffering of his servant. Jesus replies simply, “I will come and cure him” (Matthew 8:7). It is here in the Gospel of Matthew that we encounter the familiar words we speak at Mass. The centurion replies, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed” (Matthew 8:8).

The centurion knew Jesus by reputation. He knew Jesus was able to heal his servant, so he presented the situation. When we speak almost the exact words of the centurion during Mass, we doing the same. As flawed, broken human beings, we acknowledge our weakness and sinful nature and—knowing the healing power of Jesus—ask ready our souls for healing that we may become worthy. The centurion knew he was unworthy to be in the physical presence of the Son of God, but spoke anyway on behalf of his servant. Like the centurion, we recognize that we are not worthy of the physical presence of Christ—in our case, the Eucharist—but we engage in prayer and petition for healing.

This is superb example of Christ’s desire to heal us and of the healing power of prayer. As we continue in the Lenten season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, this is important to remember. Like the centurion, we must see ourselves as unworthy before the Son of God, but acknowledge His ardent desire to heal our souls anyway. Lent is a penitential time. One good practice is to pray for the healing of our tendencies toward pride, avarice, and self-indulgence. Christ’s healing can also free us from misguided desires for power, wealth, and status.

The healing power of prayer is not reserved only for that which physically ails us, it can renew our spirits and prepare our souls to revive Christ on the third day.

Humble yourself before the Lord.

The Second Meditation: Service

Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.

—Matthew 8:10

Even the great prophet John the Baptist, who first recognized the Son of God from inside his mother’s womb, considered himself unworthy. “I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals,” he says in the Gospels (Luke 3:16). Later, Jesus comes to be baptized by John who contests. “I need to be baptized by you,” he insists. “And yet you are coming to me?” (Matthew 3:14). Like the centurion, John recognizes the divinity of Christ and sees clearly his own inferiority. It seems counterintuitive to John that he should baptize the Son of God, but Jesus insists. Christ humbles Himself before man.

The centurion, in presenting Jesus with a case for healing, humbles himself not only before Christ, but before his servant. As a powerful leader, the centurion could have seen his position so superior to that of his servant that petitioning on the servant’s behalf would be beneath him. Alas, he engages in an act of servant leadership offering nothing related to himself, but engaging with Jesus on behalf of a man in his charge. In serving one under him in a hierarchy, the centurion leads by example and fulfills the needs of his servant. “For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me” (Matthew 8:9). He understands fully his role as both a leader and a follower. Neither is superior in humanity and each is tasked with serving the other.

This theme is consistent throughout the teachings of Christ. For example, “Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant,” Jesus tells James and John. “Whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave” (Matthew 20:26-27). During this season of Lent, let us meditate and reflect upon those situations in which we are called to lead. Whether they be in career, community, or family, leadership responsibility tasks each of us with the obligation to humble ourselves and serve. Authority is not about asserting power, coercing others, or getting one’s way. It is about taking on responsibility for others and leading them as a faithful servant. In leading this way, we indeed turn away from the sinful nature of self-importance and are faithful the Gospel teachings of Christ.

Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.

The Third Meditation: Mercy

As you have believed, let it be done for you.

—Matthew 8:13

When we believe in the mercy of God, we know it. It is important to realize that belief in God’s mercy means knowing that He answers our prayers and petitions in His time and according to His will. What we might view as mercy may not be that which is truly best for us, what God has in mind. He knows the greater effect of His work. When we pray for mercy, we receive it—in God’s way. “Your will be done, on earth as in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).

In the story of Christ’s healing of the servant, we witness the centurion subject himself God’s will. The Son of God, the word made flesh, is told “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully” (Matthew 8:6). Jesus makes the decision to heal, to show mercy to the servant. It is His will, not the will of the centurion or the servant, that is done. In reading the centurion’s statement closely, one will notice the absence of any direct request. He only presented the situation to Jesus who healed the servant according to His will. As we reflect upon mercy during our Lenten practice, it is beneficial to understand the centurion’s approach and Jesus’ response so we may emulate both. “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:8). Let us present our challenges, troubles, and ailments to God—the Father and the Son. He knows what we seek and will act in accordance with His will, knowing what is best for each of us.

When encountering or presented with persons in need, let us be like Jesus and act without being asked. Recognizing a need and fulfilling it when we have the means is a Christlike action. Such an act serves our brothers and sisters and preserves their dignity.

Give without counting the cost.