September 6, 2011
Tuesday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
By Beth DeCristofaro
For in (Christ) dwells the whole fullness of the deity bodily, and you share in this fullness in him, who is the head of every principality and power. … You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. (Colossians 2: 9-10, 12)
(Many) came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and even those who were tormented by unclean spirits were cured. Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him because power came forth from him and healed them all. (Luke 6: 18-19)
Piety
Shepherd me O God, beyond my wants beyond my fears from death into life. May I believe and act, O Jesus, that I am buried but also raised with you and that you want me to be your bodily presence in order to help heal those in need, to help heal your beautiful world.
Study
In Sunday’s powerful Gospel we heard Jesus urging his disciples to speak truth and seek unity through reconciliation with those who do wrong or have wronged them. Yesterday we watched, along with the crowd, as Jesus publicly and “unlawfully” healed a man on the Sabbath. To his critics he said: "I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?" (Luke 6:9) Today we witness his healing through power coming forth from him which, St. Paul reminds us, is the power of God.
Paul also reminds the Colossians that the faithful share in the fullness, the presence of God with which Jesus used to heal, teach, admonish and ultimately save us. Jesus did this by spending time with his Father in prayer, returning again and again to the Father building and deepening that relationship. He healed them all. And he has healed me of many of my wants and fears although they seem to crop up again and again. By spending time with Jesus and building my relationship with him, I can continue to grow in the ways He desires for me.
Action
Read today’s Gospel and enter into it. Be in the crowd listening as he names his 12 disciples and know that through your Baptism, he has called you by name as well. Then gather around him with all the people. You are one of many. But he heals you in the unique way that only he knows how to do. Spend some time in your imagination and in your heart with Jesus. How will you share his power with others?
