2 December 2013 - his house, our roof

2 December 2013 - his house, our roof

The centurion said in reply,
“Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof;

The centurion sees a figure that looks like any other and yet perceives a presence which is utterly unique.

A smoking cloud by day
and a light of flaming fire by night.
For over all, the LORD’s glory will be shelter and protection:
shade from the parching heat of day,
refuge and cover from storm and rain.

This is why we should rejoice to hear that we "will go up to the house of the LORD."  The presence of God is at the very center of this house.  It is a glorious presence, even if it is concealed in a human body.  It is glorious concealed in the Eucharist.  It should be an awe-inspiring presence.  It is a presence that is the fulfillment of every desire.  It is "shade" and "refuge".

Yet change is necessary to recline "at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven."

He who remains in Zion
and he who is left in Jerusalem
Will be called holy:
every one marked down for life in Jerusalem.

All who are left we be called holy.  The centurion recognizes that he is not yet purified in this way.  That is why he speaks words of humility which we commemorate and in every mass.  He knows that he himself is not worthy.  We speak these words together with him.  We speak them together with popes and saints.  No one is worthy of this presence.  The centurion sees what appears to be an insurmountable gap between himself and Jesus.  Yet the centurion does understand something about authority.  He is able to trust that if he cannot bridge the gap between himself and the holiness of Jesus it will not prevent Jesus from doing so.

When the LORD washes away
the filth of the daughters of Zion,
And purges Jerusalem’s blood from her midst
with a blast of searing judgment,

It is hard to hear that we have filth that needs to be washed away.  But in spite of our imperfections Jesus still says to us, “I will come and cure him.”  May we imitate the faith of the centurion who does not project his own limitations onto Jesus.  Jesus is the one to whom "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given" (cf. Mat. 28:18).  Let us pray for peace within his walls and prosperity in his buildings.  May he give us the faith to long for the day when:

The branch of the LORD will be luster and glory,
and the fruit of the earth will be honor and splendor
for the survivors of Israel.