Word to the Wise
Saturday, July 1, 2023 - Saturday in the 12th Week in Ordinary Time
[Gen 18:1-15 and Matt 8:5-17]"Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed...." [Matthew]
These words of the centurion, presumably a pagan, are words that we speak at the celebration of the Eucharist just before coming forward to receive the Lord. The centurion showed his understanding that the word of authority was sufficient. Jesus did not have to come to his house. Jesus was amazed at his faith, saying that he [Jesus] had not seen such faith in his fellow Jews! Would Jesus be amazed at our faith?
Although recent polls differ somewhat, it is clear that a significant number of Catholics do not believe that the bread and wine consecrated at Mass are physically and truly the body and blood of Jesus! Since this belief is at the center of Catholic faith and founded on the very words of Jesus, it is difficult to understand why anyone lacking this belief would come forward to receive communion! But many do. Some of this - maybe much of it - is due to poor catechesis when folks are young. But the faith of the centurion should be a challenge to all of us to remember WHO it is that has left us the commandment to "do this in remembrance of me..." and that we are subject to his authority. AMEN