Come Closer

~~~ Isaiah 2: 1-5 ~~~ Psalm 122 ~~~ Matthew 8:5-11 ~~~

Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof;

only say the word and my servant will be healed.

The words we speak before receiving Communion at every Mass 

are taken from today's gospel reading.

The centurion was not asking Jesus to go out of his way

or to change his plans for the day.

The centurion was only asking Jesus to
speak his healing words.

This soldier had a greater faith then
 we often have when praying.

This soldier was recognizing the authority
 Jesus had over sickness.

This soldier believed that Jesus had his healing power

extended beyond his immediate physical reach.

...That he may instruct us in his ways,

and we may walk in his paths.

God never hears us because of our worthiness;

he hears us because we are his own.

We belong to him.

If we believe for one minute that we can sustain

 ourselves without God we are surely doomed.

We have life through him...he alone gives life...

he alone takes life.

We must come face to face with Jesus,
just as this centurion did, when making our requests.

A teacher, surrounded by her students, is able to use 

visual cues to assess her instruction.

A student benefits a great deal by being in close

proximity to the teacher

for similar reasons.

Jesus invites us to come closer 

so that he may instruct us in his ways.

Jesus invites us to come closer so that he can

instruct us as we walk together.

We are Blessed to have a God that does not allow our 

'worthiness' to get in the way.

Our lack of 'worthiness' is no obstacle for him.

~~~Peace~~~

Three years ago, this blog was begun

below is the post written for these readings in 2012.

From a Distance

His Words Make You Worthy

1 Cor 11: 17-26, 33 ~~~ Psalm 40 ~~~ Luke 7: 1-10 ~~~

 

So often we feel as if we must have the answers.

We were educated in a school system where the single right answer

was valued and rewarded.

If we did not know the right answer we were often

made to feel ashamed.

We blamed ourselves for our lack of knowledge.

 

Perhaps in school you did have some reason to be ashamed

for not spending adequate time on your class work,

but here Paul is writing about something very different.

 

I must keep myself in check to avoid passing judgement on those less fortunate.

 I have no right to make them feel ashamed or less worthy.

Paul is pointing out to the people of Corinth the effect

of their practice of exclusion.



"...Or do you show contempt for the Church of God
and make those who have nothing feel ashamed?"

 

In defense of the people of Corinth;

were they aware of how their actions were having

a negative impact on others?

Paul was drawing their attention to the fact that the church was for everyone.

All are welcome regardless of their standing in the community...

regardless of their invisible rank.

 

The church is open to each person whether or not

they have abundance in other are

as of their life.

Believing does not automatically make you better than the person next to you.

 

Faith is a gift.

It is possible to be given a gift even if you do deserve it.

This happens in families each year.

 

God does not say you are worthy to receive my gift of faith.

Likewise, God does not say you are not worthy to receive my gift of faith.

God gives freely; he is the giver of all.

 

Whether or not you are worthy

God gives and your responsibility is to humbly accept.

 

The centurion was making a request on the behalf of his slave;

someone most would have considered 'not worthy'.

The centurion did not feel Jesus should make the effort to physically

come to the bedside of his slave.

 

"Lord, do not trouble yourself,
for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof."

 

The centurion was placing himself in the same position as his own slave.

Before God he was not worthy to make a request for Jesus

to change his itinerary.

 

 

When it comes to our worthiness before God it was,

is, and always will be his call.

 

Our worthiness is rooted in our willingness to humbly allow God to chose us...

to allow God to use us for his purposes.

It requires great humility to let God work in your life.

It is egotistical to argue with God on the grounds of not being worthy.

Our worthiness is not the main idea here.

When we tell God we are not worthy, abruptly ending the conversation there

we are telling God he is wrong.

 

Imagine telling God he is wrong.

It only takes his words.

His words alone create our worthiness.

We are worthy to work for the Lord because he makes it so.

 

The next time you say this verse before receiving Eucharist;

 

"...Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof.

BUT only say the word and my soul will be healed."

 

God can manifest healings on many levels with his words alone.

If you are called to do his work,

do not get caught up in the 'worthiness' debate.

Can you outwit God?

It is not likely!