Thanks to Dale Zanetti, Director of Adult Formation at Visitation, for this entry.
“Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.” Matthew 8:8
Never before have these words meant so much or been so important. This familiar phrase is repeated at every Mass at the Communion rite. The humble and trusting Roman Centurion asks Jesus to heal his servant from a distance. With this pandemic raging in New Jersey our churches remain closed (as of this writing) and so we can only celebrate Mass in our homes; under our own roofs-with only Spiritual Holy Communion.
Those words hit home so clear when I am sitting in my living room on my nice comfy chair worshipping, praying and listening. Jesus has truly entered into our homes and if he has entered, then the home truly is holy-sacred ground.
This statement by the centurion is a story of faith; a humble, trusting faith. A faith that we can absorb. Just as the centurion states that he is not worthy for Jesus to come to his home, we too are not worthy. But keep in mind that come He does-right here in our very living rooms.
Jesus was impressed with the man’s faith and we can believe he is impressed with ours too. Is it difficult? Yes, but possible.
The man’s humble request, “Lord visit, but no need to come close (social distancing), only from a distance….” Having acknowledged that he is not worthy to have Jesus come to his home, he asks for healing anyway. Knowing that Jesus could bring healing and change his situation in anyway he wanted.
He trusted that whatever was happening, no matter how unresolvable he felt it was, Jesus would make a difference. Jesus counts us worthy by his death and resurrection. He is here today, right here, next to us, in our homes and in us. Our churches may be closed but God’s grace is not.
Reflect, today, on your own humility and trust. Can you pray this prayer with the same faith as the centurion? Let him be a model for you especially every time you prepare to receive Jesus “under your roof” in Spiritual Holy Communion.
Lord, I am not worthy of You. I am especially not worthy of receiving You in Holy Communion. Help me to humbly recognize this fact and, in that humility, help me to also recognize the fact that You desire to come to me anyway and to make my home a holy place. Jesus, I trust in You.
Visitation is live streaming the Mass every day. Daily Mass Monday through Friday 7:30 am; Saturday 8:15 am and Sunday Mass at 9:00 am. If you have not yet consecrated your home do it today. Make “under your roof” a holy and venerable place for Jesus to reside.
Parents: don't forget to visit the Diocese of Trenton's one-page resource for families, Faith At Home, updated each week at www.dioceseoftrenton.org/faith-at-home and en Español at www.dioceseoftrenton.org/fe-en-casa.
This week's edition:
We continue to pray for an end to the virus, those who are infected and those who care for the sick. May God continue to bless us and keep us close to Him.
God loves you despite your unworthiness. It is His love which will make you better, rather than your betterment which will make Him love you.
May
17
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Our FORMED Recommendation for the Week
Movie(55 minutes): Fatima: A Message of Hope
This past Wednesday the Church celebrated the memorial of the apparition of our Blessed Mother at Fatima, Portugal to three shepherd children. This movie documents those apparitions from May through October 1917. These incredible events were witnessed by tens of thousands of people and are considered the most prophetic revelations of the 20th Century, including the greatest miracle to have occurred on earth at the exact time predicted. The movie conveys this epic story through historic details and insightful interviews with leading Fatima experts: Father Andrew Apostoli, CFR, Father Benedict Groeschell, CFR, Father Luis Kondor, Father Robert J. Fox and family members of the Fatima seers. Learn the importance of Mary's message that is more relevant now than ever before.
If you haven't done so already, go to https://visitationrcchurch.formed.org/, click on the REGISTER NOW button. Enter your e-mail address on the registration screen and you're good to go!
Do you find these weekly eCommunity mailings useful and think that family members or friends could benefit? Invite them either by having them text VisitationBrick to 84576 on their smartphone or by signing up on our parish website at http://visitationrcchurch.org/ - we'd love to have them join us!