Words of the Holy Father-the Roman centurion-09-16-24 poverty of our prayer

 Words of the Holy Father-the Roman centurion-09-16-24 poverty of our prayer 

Perhaps the most moving acknowledgment of the poverty of our prayer came from the lips of the Roman centurion who one day begged Jesus to heal his sick servant (cf. Mt 8:5–13). He felt totally inadequate: he was not a Jew, he was an officer in the detested occupying army. But his concern for his servant emboldens him, and he says: “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed” (v. 8). It is the phrase we also repeat in every Eucharistic liturgy. To dialogue with God is a grace: we are not worthy of it, we have no rights to claim, we “limp” with every word and every thought... But Jesus is the door that opens us to this dialogue with God. (…) This closeness of God that opens us up to dialogue with him. A God who loves humanity: we would never have had the courage to believe in him, had we not known Jesus. The knowledge of Jesus made us understand this, it revealed this to us. (General audience, 3 March 2021)

Memorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html 

Gospel in Art: Saints Pope Cornelius and Bishop Cyprian, Martyrs https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50642