In today's Gospel we see the pivotal scene of a centurion soldier of the Roman Empire coming to Jesus to ask for the healing of his servant. Jesus tells the centurion that he will follow him to his house, yet we are then given the famous line in which we repeat in our liturgy in Mass: "Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed" (Mt. 8:8). It says that Jesus "was amazed and said to those following him, "Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith." (Mt 8:10). You will notice that in our response during the liturgy of the Eucharist the word "servant" has been changed to "soul" since we are the ones praying in response to Jesus that it is not by any merit of our own that we are healed, but by his grace and his mercy. When you look further at the line, "I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof" we see that in the story with the centurion, the soldier is talking about the roof of his house, yet we, having the gift of the Most Blessed Sacrament that is the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, our response reflects the roof of our mouths as we consume his Body and Blood. The word Eucharist means "thanksgiving" and it is in our desire to be in communion with God that we are truly giving thanks for his total sacrifice on the cross and the ability to share in his Paschal Mystery by consuming the Eucharist and being in communion with our savior.
Reflection: Am I allowing Jesus to enter under my roof?
Lord God, thank you for today and everyday. Thank you for the gift that is your Body and Blood. Send forth your Spirit Lord that my heart might be open to your will for my life and that in everything I do today I might be drawn nearer to your will for me. I pray, through our Lord Jesus Christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen.