The centurion said in reply,
"Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof;
only say the word and my servant will be healed.
On this feast of Mary's Immaculate Heart, we hear words that are intensely familiar to every Catholic. Moments before we are to receive the precious Body and Blood of the Lord, we remember and confess our unworthiness "...to have you enter under my roof. Say but the word and my soul will be healed."
Today's memorial is extraordinary because we remember one woman, one of our own sisters, who was worthy to have him enter her home, her body, and her very self.
Saint Maximilian Kolbe coined a neologism for her gift, calling it immaculation. That is, she was given an extraordinary gift at the moment of her conception, and continued to grow in innocence and virtue throughout her life. Yes, one can become more perfectly like God; and because God is eternally perfect, good, true, and beautiful, willing human beings like Mary also grow evermore beautiful, gracious, kind, and powerful.
Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor 12:8-10)
With the contrariness of Jesus, his disciples also eschew power in favor of availability to the mercy and justice of God. Like servants, we carry one another's burdens rather than expect or demand that others carry us.
Despite her standing as Queen of Heaven and Earth, Mary has never stopped being the immaculate Mother who cares intensely for each of her children. Because she wants only what God wants, and God wants whatever she wants, her petitions on our behalf are immediately accepted by the Lord of Heaven and Earth.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.