Lord, I am not worthy, but you will heal: truth in humility

Kneeling at Mass in the Eucharistic prayer, I feel like I only really mean half of the prayer that says, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”

It occurred to me one day that I tend to focus on one or the other parts, but not both. Today at Mass, I really said them together. Together, they create a perfect statement of humility.

The part I to which I usually pay more attention is the part that says, “I’m not worthy.”

“Lord, I am not worthy.” 

There is a temptation to thinking we are better than others, and it affects those outside the church as well as those firmly inside. I have to remember I’m not better than others because I go to Mass everyday. I’m not guaranteed salvation just because I know some scripture. I’m not more gifted because I write about spirituality. No, whatever I have going well is a reflection of God’s grace. 

“Lord, I’m not worthy.” 

There is a temptation for those outside the church as well as those firmly inside to say they are the worst people ever. But everything is not really my fault, even if I sometimes think it is. I am supposed to be encouraged by the conversion of the saints, not despair that I’ll never be as good. I am supposed to trust that God can break my desire for sin. If Jesus said for me to be perfect as my Heavenly Father is perfect, He must have a way to get me there even if I am acutely aware that I’m not perfect right now.

“...but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” 

This is the statement to which I usually pay less attention. But the liturgy doesn’t stop at “not worthy.”  The second statement moderates every temptation we have in declaring ourselves better or less than we are.

A priest has been teaching me how pride is both, “I’m so awesome,” and, “I’m the worst person ever.” But by depending on God to “say the word,” we cede our unrighteous authority to declare where we stand and rightfully give it to God. Confidently confessing “my soul shall be healed,” casts out the lie that we are beyond His mercy. It casts out the lie we didn’t need saving.

I am so grateful for the wisdom of two statements said together. They speak the truth of our unworthiness before God and the truth of how He makes us worthy. They declare the truth of His authority and the truth of His ability to make all things well again.

As we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, we can approach Jesus in confidence and humility. We can rest in the assurance of His abundant love.