Saturday 30 June
Matthew 8:5-17
Since the introduction of the New Missal, how are you getting on with the new responses at Mass? We all seem to have settled into the rhythm of things. It is easy, however, to forget every now and then and slip back into some of the old and familiar responses when we are not concentrating or reading the Mass sheet. Especially ‘And also with you’ as opposed to ‘And with your spirit’. Old habits die hard. Still we will get there – these things take time.
There are a number of striking changes in the new responses. One of these is contained in the new Communion Rite. Drawing upon the remarkable encounter between Jesus and the Roman centurion the old rite response was: ‘Lord, I am not worthy to receive you but only say the word and I shall be healed.’ The new rite, in an endeavour to be more true to the original words actually spoken by the centurion, says: ‘Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.’ The new response brings something fresh and insightful as we prepare ourselves to receive the Lord.
It is a remarkable thing that a chance (but we know there are no chance encounters in the providence of God) meeting with this Gentile Roman soldier brought forth one of the most wonderful expressions of faith recorded in the Gospels. The soldier knew immediately that he was in the presence of divine authority. A military man by instinct and training he recognized authority when he saw it. But this was a different kind of authority and power – one he had not come across before – and he bowed humbly before it. The great faith of this humble soldier moved and impressed the Lord.
We need to emulate the disposition of this pagan soldier because he captures the spirit of the disciple: humble and simple and straightforward in relating to his Lord and Master. The Lord wants to heal and transform us in the same way he healed and transformed this man’s servant. It can be easier to approach the Lord with someone else in mind: it takes great courage to go to the Lord with one’s own healing in mind.
Lord, teach me to emulate the faith of the soldier in today’s Gospel; teach me to bow before your authority. Only say the word and I shall be healed.
Lamentations 2:2, 10-14, 18-19 • Psalm 73(74):1-7, 20-21
Matthew 8:5-17
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