In today’s Gospel from Matthew 8:5-17, a centurion approached Jesus and said, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.” Jesus did not hesitate and said to him, “I will come and cure him.”
I thought that in itself to be pretty amazing. The centurion was not a Jew but he believed that Jesus could heal his servant. When Jesus said yes, the centurion said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.”
None of us are worthy for the Lord to enter under our roofs. What would Jesus find if He entered our homes or apartments? Jesus knows all things. What kind of things have we done behind closed doors that Jesus knows about but we have kept secret? What do we have laying around or stored up that Jesus might find offensive? I have had much hidden in my closet. I find that little by little I am trying to clean up my house.
As a catholic, when the priest holds up the Eucharist before we come to communion, we respond, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” Then we receive Jesus, fully in the Eucharist, under the roof of our bodies, fully living inside of us. What does Jesus find when He does enter under our roof? Is there great joy? Is there sorrow for offending Him? Is there sin? Is there desire for repentance? Are we on fire for Jesus? Are we lukewarm?
Jesus told the centurion, “You may go; as you have believed, let it be done for you.” The scripture passage says “And at that very hour his servant was healed.” I do not think Jesus expects us to be perfect and sinless. But I do think He wants us to know that we are not worthy but because He loves us so much, He wants us to be open to receive Him and let Him in. And like the centurion, we hope to hear Jesus say, “let it be done for you.” And at that very moment, our soul was healed.
Seeking To Reflect Jesus 