25 June 2016 - say the word

[ Today's Readings ]

Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof;
only say the word and my servant will be healed.

We need faith like that of the centurion. We're OK, sometimes at the part about how we are not worthy of the LORD entering under our roof. But we're less alright with the part about his authority and desire to heal us anyway. Indeed the humility of the centurion, while beautiful isn't what Jesus praises about him.

For I too am a man subject to authority,
with soldiers subject to me.
And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes;
and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes;
and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him,
“Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.

The centurion knows he is not worthy to have Jesus in his home. But he also knows that Jesus has to power  and authority to do the healing he requests. He believes that he will do it. It isn't a humility which says, 'I don't deserve it, so go on your way and heal the people who do deserve it.' (Who deserves it?) Rather it is a humility which, precisely because it doesn't fixate on its own lack of worth, is able to ask for just for what it wants in faith. 

And Jesus said to the centurion,
“You may go; as you have believed, let it be done for you.”
And at that very hour his servant was healed.

Our houses are unworthy to receive Jesus as well. But he wants to heal us. Let's have the humility to worry about ourselves less and to trust in the authority and love of Jesus more.

Like the author of Lamentations we do bear guilt that stains our souls. But even so, like him, we must make our needs known to the LORD.

Pour out your heart like water
in the presence of the Lord;

Even when the situation is dire and we seem cast off forever the LORD does not forget his covenant. He does not forget the love he has for us. He does not forget the souls of his poor ones.

Remember your flock which you built up of old,
the tribe you redeemed as your inheritance,
Mount Zion, where you took up your abode.