Homily: Twenty-second Wednesday of Ordinary Time

Twenty-second Wednesday of Ordinary Time (Luke 4:38-44) “I Have No Choice, but to Heal”

In Biblical times there were no doctors. The medical profession was very primitive until recently. It might be hard for us to believe, but a few centuries ago barbers also practiced medicine. A variety of people engaged in the healing arts. People picked up knowledge about medicine through life experience and by observing what others did.

Religious figures were quite often the individuals in a society that would attend to the sick. The thought was that there were evil forces at work when illness happened. Prayer was often the only recourse.

I visited a hospital that dated from the Middle Ages when I was in Rome several years ago. The hospital was one big room. The sick would be on beds and pallets in this large dormitory. Privacy was not a priority nor was keeping people separated. What impressed me was that in the middle of the dormitory was an altar. Mass was said with the sick lying all around the altar. The Eucharist was considered the best medicine for the patients. Spiritual healing was very important in medieval times.

Jesus had a reputation as a faith healing. All the gospels would agree on that. He had certain rudimentary things that he would do like lay hands on the sick or pray over them. Sometimes he would use physical remedies, like when he put spittle in a deaf man’s ears or when he anointed a blind man’s eyes. He was able to cure many who were brought to him. But we also know that power flowed out of him. His healing ministry taxed him a great deal.

When he was worn out from dealing with all the suffering people who came to him, he would withdraw to pray. He needs to renew himself spiritually in order to be able to heal once more.

Jesus’ healing ministry flowed out of his prayer and his prayer compelled him to engage in ministry. We see how driven he was at the end of the Gospel we read today. He wanted to keep moving and continue to relieve the suffering of the world. It is a reminder that our charitable actions should lead to prayer and our prayer should lead to charitable actions if we are truly imitating the Lord whom we serve.

Reflection Questions:

1.    Does my prayer prompt me to act? When has that happened?

2.    If I take care of myself spiritually, do I feel better physically? Are the two things connected?

 Dear Parishioners,

           I was visiting with one of our parishioners in the hospital today. She has not been able to attend church for a long time, but she does watch our Masses on Facebook. The woman I refer to has been ill for many years, but she has kept up with the news of the parish and is enthusiastic about what is going on.

          One thing that she shared is that when she receives the Eucharist, she has a burning sensation in her chest. I take this to mean that she is spiritually up lifted by what she experiences. She is so thankful that a Eucharistic minister comes to her house.

          By the time I left her room I was very inspired. She had such great faith and a joy despite her suffering. Once again it proved to me that when we minister to those who are ill most often, we receive more than we can ever give.

          If you might want to do pastoral care give me a phone call.

          May Our Lady of Peace bring an end to world in our world.

          Fr. Mark