“Imagine,” he said, “that I asked you to share your lunch with me today …
“If I said that Mrs Davenport, our housekeeper, has gone away suddenly and has not prepared Sunday lunch. So instead of staying at home alone with a piece of bread and ginger marmalade, I’d come home with you after Mass and share your meal with you.
“What would you think?”
He waited patiently for a few seconds.
“Would you think … Oh no … I haven’t had time to clean the house. It’s in a right state and I don’t want him to see it this way!
“Or … Not today, without prior notice … All we have at home is a few eggs and some bread …
“What other reasons would cross your mind, I wonder, to stop me from visiting you unannounced?”
After a few seconds’ pause he continued.
“In today’s Gospel we read about a Roman Centurion asking Jesus to heal his servant. And when Jesus agrees and makes his way towards the house the soldier says, ‘I am not worthy that you come into my house …’
“He doesn’t stop Jesus because the house is not clean, or because he has nothing to offer Him by way of refreshments … He says that he is not worthy to have Jesus visit him.
“He is a Roman Officer, a member of an occupying army with many soldiers under his command. He has power over many men and territory. Yet, he does not feel worthy enough to have such an eminent person as Jesus visit his home.
“He goes on to say ‘Just say the word and my servant will be healed!’
“What Faith, from someone who supposedly should have no Faith at all in Jesus! After all, Jesus was considered by the Romans as just another Jew in this occupied land ... nothing special.
“He says to Jesus, ‘I trust you enough and in your power, that you only have to say it, and my servant will be well.’
“And of course Jesus heals the servant without visiting the house.”
Father Ignatius stopped for a few moments once again.
“I wonder if we have similar Faith!” he asked.
“Do we trust Jesus enough to believe that He will listen to our prayers? Or do we harbor some doubts in our minds?
“Are we worthy to have Him visit us in our homes? Or will He be shocked by the cobwebs in every corner of our soul?
“And when we come forward for Holy Communion, and repeat the Centurion’s words, do we really mean them? I am not worthy to receive You ... ... ...
“Or do we hide the cobwebs of sin in our very souls? For make no mistake about it. This is what Communion is … Jesus abiding within your very soul.
“And if there’s sin hidden in our hearts … then we are not worthy indeed to receive Him.”
MORE FATHER IGNATIUS STORIES HERE
Blessings.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteGod bless.
Hi Victor, what we always have to do is confess our sins and repent, which means to re-think, and change our ways according to God's ways. If we think we can fool God by keeping things inside and not changing our actions then we are not followers of Jesus because we are not acting on that Word spoken to us. It is no good if we are just hearers of the Word and do not act upon it. The house analogy is very good Victor. I will come back and watch the video later, as I am going to water the garden right now. (hmmm... another analogy eh?)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Brenda. Good point.
DeleteGod bless.
Oh, Victor, I loved this story, and the film clip brought tears to my eyes! Thank you for reminding us that our faith in Jesus is all important, each and every day.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Thank you for your kind words, Martha.
DeleteGod bless you, my friend.
I wonder if Victor, and his community of readers would 'bathe' me in their prayers to Our Lord Jesus Christ -- for my 'deliverance' from a 55+ years' ADDICTION to a substance that IS killing me?! I have prayed for this; but my 'physical', 'mental' & 'emotional' addiction to this 'worldly substance' FEELS considerably bigger than my 'mustard seed' of Faith! What IS this 'substance'? It is tobacco -- in the form of 'cigarettes'! I have both, lung and heart disease -- which is NOT surprising; BUT, it seems my human body (& mind) CANNOT & WILL NOT 'let go'! Every time I 'try' to quit, the extra 'coughing' (to rid my lungs of accumulated 'tar'), & the incessant 'cravings' only seem to INCREASE -- and ADD to the physical pains I suffer on a daily basis (from Arthritis & Fibromyalgia). P.S. I've tried the "Nicotine patches", etc., to no avail. I'm asking because I sincerely believe that my physical body is actually, RESISTANT to allowing 'sincerity' to MY prayers for release from this addiction!
ReplyDeleteI am praying for you right now, Suzanne. A silent prayer, maybe, but the Lord and you know what it is.
DeleteGod bless.
I will be happy to pray for you in my prayers each night Suzanne...please do not give up trying to quit.
DeleteGod's Blessings ✝
Jan
I pray each morning when I start out on my morning walk and I will pray for you too Suzanne. : )
DeleteI agree with Martha … that video is wonderful! Try as we may, there's no hiding from He who loves us so.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Mevely. He knows what's in our hearts.
DeleteGod bless you always.
The video gave me chills. Faith in God, true faith know no bounds.
ReplyDeleteYour post today was beautiful and wonderful.
We all need to renew our faith at times but we are mere humans who need a kind reminder of this.
God's Blessings ✝
Thank you for your kind words, Jan. Yes, we need to renew our faith, especially when it's weak ... like mine.
DeleteGod bless.
"He is a Roman Officer, a member of an occupying army with many soldiers under his command. He has power over many men and territory. Yet, he does not feel worthy enough..."
ReplyDeleteI wonder if he was thinking of all the bad things he had been forced to do as a solider.
You are probably right, Sandi. In those days soldiers had to obey or else they too would be in great trouble.
DeleteGod bless you.
Another wonderful reminder, Victor. Renewing our faith gives us an insight to our weaknesses and an opportunity to strenghten our bonds with God.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your support and kindness, Bill. It is much appreciated.
DeleteGod bless you.
My new favorite blog post:) Thank you, Victor.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Chris. Very grateful to you.
DeleteGod bless you.
If you are coming to see me, you are welcome. If you are coming to see the house, make an appointment!
ReplyDeleteThe best news is that His forgiveness is what makes us worthy.
Good comment Mimi. I agree with what you say.
DeleteGod bless.
The faith of the centurion just melts me. Just say the word and she will be healed. Wow. Amen.
ReplyDeleteAnd this:do we hide the cobwebs of sin in our very souls. so much meaning.
Thank you Susan. If only we had the same faith as the centurion.
DeleteGod bless.