The liturgy is filled with more or less explicit mentions of Holy Scripture. Among them, before communion, this sentence of the Roman centurion: "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but just say a word and I will be cured". A far from trivial use as we prepare to receive the body of Christ.
Jesus , once again, is in Capernaum , a city on the shore of Lake Tiberias . A Roman centurion comes to him. His origin and his religion, the pagan one of the Empire, should not lead him to the Messiah expected by Israel. However, it is to him that he comes to ask for the healing of his paralyzed and suffering servant. Saint Matthew tells us about this in chapter 8 of his Gospel. He makes this imperial officer say: “Lord, I am not worthy that you come under my roof, but just say a word and my servant will be healed. I myself who am subject to an authority, I have soldiers under my orders; to one, I say, “Go”, and he goes; to another: “Come”, and he comes, and to my slave: “Do this”, and he does it. ( vv. 8-9)
The formula, slightly adapted, is attested in the Roman liturgy since the 11th century. The Latin edition of the 2002 missal reads, "Lord, I am not worthy that you come under my roof, but just say the word and my soul will be healed." In French, it has been translated: “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but just say the word and I will be healed”. Pronounced by all, priests and congregation, just before Communion, this scriptural quotation expresses well the Eucharistic faith and the spiritual attitude it induces.
Centurion's humility and faith
Before receiving the body of Christ, the centurion's humility and faith are more than necessary. He who has power, however, feels unworthy. The one who is a public figure comes to beg an (apparent) simple "rabbi". He who is pagan recognizes in Jesus a Savior, with power far greater than his own. The one who is superior cares about his subordinate. Because he believes that Jesus can heal his servant, he relativizes his human abilities. This is what the faithful ask for before taking communion: to have a poor heart to truly welcome the Messiah, to have a poor heart to recognize the Saviour, under the appearances of bread.
Even more, saying the centurion's words at this time of Mass recalls two essential aspects of Christian life. First that our body is the temple of the Spirit. The grace communicated in the sacraments must be worthily welcomed under our “roof”. The Eucharistic fast also says it opportunely: we must make room for Jesus. Then, that the body of Christ heals us. Our spiritual health therefore requires going to Mass, the “source and summit” of Christian life.