“Healed by the Lord’s Loving Gaze” by Beth DeCristofaro
A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him and said, "If you wish, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, "I do will it. Be made clean." (Mark 1:40-41)
Piety
Bless all who are suffering illness of any kind, O Gentle Jesus. As you cleansed the wounds of the leper, restored the deaf man’s hearing and rightful place in the community, staunched the flow of blood and isolation of the hemorrhaging woman, raised a dead child and so many other awe-inspiring miracles, help all now to know your healing touch on skin and within spirit. Even if unwell or hurt people find themselves in the valley of death, fill them with the peace only you can bestow. And accept my humble thanks for the times others have cared for me and thus given me your Love. Bless them and all caregivers.
Study
The Gospel stories have all week illuminated Jesus’ compassionate, patient healing of people. His limitless love is demonstrated healing a man’s body, a child’s mind, a sinful soul, the community of vulnerable poor, the temple grounds and, of course, a world wracked by futility and puniness through his death. Today is the 2018 World Day of the Sick and the Church remembers that a healing ministry instituted by our Loving Brother Jesus is at its core identity.
From Pope Francis’ message: “The Church’s service to the sick and those who care for them must continue with renewed vigor, in fidelity to the Lord’s command (cf. Lk 9:2-6; Mt 10:1-8; Mk 6:7-13) and following the eloquent example of her Founder and Master.
The theme for this year’s Day of the Sick is provided by the words that Jesus spoke from the Cross to Mary, his Mother, and to John: “Woman, behold your son ... Behold your mother. And from that hour the disciple took her into his home” (Jn 19:26-27).
1. The Lord’s words brilliantly illuminate the mystery of the Cross, which does not represent a hopeless tragedy, but rather the place where Jesus manifests his glory and shows his love to the end. That love, in turn, was to become the basis and rule for the Christian community and the life of each disciple. …
6. Jesus bestowed upon the Church his healing power: “These signs will accompany those who believe... they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover (Mk 16:17-18). In the Acts of the Apostles, we read accounts of the healings worked by Peter (cf. Acts 3:4-8) and Paul (cf. Acts 14:8-11). The Church’s mission is a response to Jesus’ gift, for she knows that she must bring to the sick the Lord’s own gaze, full of tenderness and compassion. Health care ministry will always be a necessary and fundamental task, to be carried out with renewed enthusiasm by all, from parish communities to the largest healthcare institutions. We cannot forget the tender love and perseverance of many families in caring for their chronically sick or severely disabled children, parents and relatives. The care given within families is an extraordinary witness of love for the human person; it needs to be fittingly acknowledged and supported by suitable policies. Doctors and nurses, priests, consecrated men and women, volunteers, families and all those who care for the sick, take part in this ecclesial mission. It is a shared responsibility that enriches the value of the daily service given by each.[i]
Action
In many of the Gospel stories, including today’s, Jesus entreats the person healed to keep it private. And they do not! They proclaim their overflowing joy to one and all. How do I see illness as nothing more than crushingly tragic or fearsome? In what ways to I avoid those who are ill? Ask Jesus for healing of my own fears or preconceptions that I might help others?
[i] MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR THE TWENTY-SIXTH WORLD DAY OF THE SICK 2018. Mater Ecclesiae: “Behold, your son... Behold, your mother. And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.” (Jn 19:26-27)
illustration: Christ Healing the Blind, El Greco
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