The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed” (Mt 8:8).

After Jesus finishes his Sermon on the Mount, he comes down from the mountain. In the opening of chapter eight, we see two hearts open to God, a leper (who is not included in today’s reading but you can see his encounter with Jesus by reading Mt. 8:1-4.) and a centurion. The centurion may or may not have been a Roman but he certainly was a Gentile. He, a member of an occupying army, was aware of the animosity many Jews felt toward him. Yet he, like the leper, approached Jesus.

Jesus saw in the leper, not revulsion, and in the centurion, not an enemy, but first and foremost, human beings in need, two persons with faith and belief. Reading on we see that Jesus also heals the mother-in-law of Peter and many who are possessed. Jesus reached out to them with a simple touch of his hand, with his healing words and in so doing brought to each of them the healing they sought. Jesus shows us that the kingdom of his Father is open to all who have faith and believe.

Jesus said to the centurion, “You may go; as you have believed let it be done for you” (Mt. 8:13). Do we have the same belief as the leper, the centurion, and Peter’s mother-in-law? Each of them believed in Jesus and experienced healing.

We are all wounded by sin and also in need of experiencing physical, psychological, and/or spiritual healing.  Jesus is just waiting for us to ask, and to open our hearts and minds to him, so that we too may be healed and transformed by his forgiveness, love, and mercy. We, like the centurion and Peter, can approach Jesus on behalf of others who are also in need of healing. Let us resist the temptation to judge anyone as unworthy to receive the grace, love, and mercy of Jesus but be willing to see others in need and bring Jesus to them.

As God brings people into our lives, let us receive them as Jesus did: as fellow human beings, first and foremost, created in his image and likeness. May we be healed from any revulsion, prejudice, or temptation to define others with labels and instead be willing to allow Jesus to reach out through us to share his healing word or extend his healing touch to one another. Let us believe in Jesus, be healed and help to heal others!

Painting: Sebastiano Ricci, “Christ and Centurion”, 16th century, Italy

Link for the Mass readings for Saturday, June 28, 2025