When Jesus encounters the centurion in the Gospel of Matthew (8:5-13), he meets a person of deep faith and humility who knows that healing comes from God alone. The centurion proclaims: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant shall be healed.”
This man, and Jesus himself, recognize the words of Psalm 119: “Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope.” And the Wisdom of Solomon: “For indeed, it was not any herb or ointment that healed them, but your word alone, O God, that heals everything” (Wisdom 16:12).
Our retreat theme this year, Only Say the Word…, is based on the belief that God can – and will – heal us, and all of creation, if we have faith.
But what, in us and in our world, needs healing? And how can we, the very Body of Christ, help to bring about that healing with our unique gifts and talents?
Come explore these ideas with our retreat community and the Holy Family retreat team. We will reflect together on those powerful words of Jesus in response to the centurion, whose servant he had healed: “Go; let it be done for you according to your faith” (Matthew 8:13). And we will bring to life the wisdom of Pope Francis who asserted: “The thing the Church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful.”
Come away, rest awhile, and encounter the healing love of Jesus Christ at Holy Family!
Did you realize . . . One of the greatest traditions we have within the Catholic faith is having a Mass said for a loved one whether they are living or deceased. By doing this, we are offering Christ himself for the intention we indicate. Considering that the Mass is the highest form of communal prayer, offering a Mass up for a loved one is a beautiful expression of faith. Masses can also be said as an expression of gratitude, to celebrate a special occasion such as a birthday or as we are reminded by the Council of Trent: "for the living and the dead, for sins, punishments, satisfactions, and other necessities."
