MIDWEEK PRAYER

During every celebration of the mass, we say an act of faith that comes from the Bible; Matthew's Gospel chapter 8, verse 8.  This act of faith that we make is the same that a Roman soldier, a Centurion, made to Jesus.  A member of the soldier's household was deathly sick.  

The Roman, a gentile, would not normally even talk to a Jew and a Jew would normally not enter the home of a gentile.  This one evidently knew of Jesus and believed that, at least, he was a miracle maker.  He asked Jesus to cure his servant and he knew Jesus could do it even if he never came to his house.  We have taken the soldier's words and use them as preparation for communion.

We say, "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed."  We ask that, rather than our servant, our soul be healed.  We have faith that Jesus can do that.  

This verse was also my grandfather's favorite, I suppose.   I overheard him sing the words to himself many times.  The song goes,  "O Lord, I am not worthy, that thou should'st come to me, but speak the words of comfort, my spirit healed shall be."  

What is your favorite prayer, verse or song in times of need?   It's never too late.

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