“… not worthy…say only a word. V.8.”
Centurion becomes a great advent model as he personifies two advent dispositions for Lord’s coming into his life and home: HUMILITY and FAITH.
At every Holy Mass we have few moments of advent – moments of preparation for Lord’s coming. We recite the words, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof (humility), but only say the word and my soul shall be healed (faith)” These words reveal of two virtues in centurion: humility and faith.
Faith moves us to approach Jesus with confidence in God’s goodness and power (You say only a word). Humility moves us to acknowledge that we do not deserve what we seek (Lord I am not worthy). Faith without humility puts us at the risk of becoming presumptuous and arrogant whereas humility without faith can lead to fear and discouragement.
These two dispositions, taken together, prepare us well for the Lord’s coming – His coming to us in the Blessed Sacrament, and his coming in the many ways he is present among us.
The centurion is a marvelous advent model. It is amazing that a pagan soldier was so well prepared for Lord’s coming! Humble faith is a manifestation of prepared heart for Lord’s coming. Amen.
Fr. Jerry Vallomkunnel MCBS