Why did the centurion say, "Lord, I am not worthy that Thou should st enter under my roof?
Out of humility, for he acknowledged Jesus to be Almighty God.
What is the meaning of the words, " That many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham," etc.?
Christ meant that many unbelievers shall receive the Gospel, and, living according to it, shall thereby gain the kingdom of heaven, while the Jews, who were the chosen people of God, shall, for their unbelief and sins, be cast out into the exterior darkness that is, into the most excruciating pains of hell.
Aspiration.
O Jesus, fountain of consolation, give me the faith and confidence of the leper, that I may always trust in Thy almighty power, and give myself up to Thy divine will. O most humble Jesus, give me the humility of the centurion, that I may for the sake of Thee love and assist my neighbor, particularly those of my household and family, the poor and the sick, and gain an eternal reward. Amen.
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
THE Introit of the Mass is the same as on last Sunday.
Prayer.
O God! Who knowest that, placed amidst so many dangers, we cannot, through human frailty, stand, grant us safety of mind and body, that we may, by Thy aid, surmount those things which we suffer for our sins. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
EPISTLE. Rom. xiii. 8-10.
Brethren: Owe no man anything, but to love one another; for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law. For thou shalt not commit adultery: Thou shalt not kill: Thou shalt not steal: Thou shalt not bear false witness: Thou shalt not covet: and if there be any other commandment, it is comprised in this word: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. The
