Lord, I am not worthy that…

We all have heard of, or have said these words many times in our life. They express the reality of our nothingness in the face of the grandiosity of God, our creator. John the Baptist has said them right before he baptized Christ. Zacchaeus has said them when Christ invited himself into his house. Why did these eminent figures, these stars of the society, feel obligated to make such statements toward Christ?

The great question that will be with us throughout this entire week: What did Jesus actually bring, if not world peace, universal prosperity, and a better world? What has he brought?

The answer is very simple: God…. He has brought God, and now we know his face, now we can call upon him. Now we know the path that we human beings have to take in this world. Jesus has brought God and with God the truth about our origin and destiny: faith, hope and love. It is only because of our hardness of heart that we think this is too little. Yes indeed, God’s power works quietly in this world, but it is the true and the lasting power. Again and again, God’s cause seems to be in its death throes. Yet over and over again it proves to be the thing that truly endures and saves.