Homily: Fifth Friday of Ordinary Time

Fifth Friday of Ordinary Time (Mk.7:31-37) “The Miracle Worker”

Jesus was considered a faith healer. There were people who lived in Biblical times who were known to have the gift for healing people from various maladies.

I am reminded of a movie that starred Steve Martin called Leap of Faith. In that story Steve Martin’s character was a minister who traveled from town-to-town leading revivals. He used various technological tricks to convince people that he had other worldly powers. He also would pay people to act like they had been healed.

Martin’s character was very convincing. People of goodwill would put their faith in him. One day a child with a real physical problem presents himself for healing at one of the revivals. The minister tries to evade healing the boy, but he can’t do that in front of the congregation. He prays over the boy and to his surprise healing comes. The bogus minister must confront his own faith. We are left to wonder whether God has intervened in the healing or not. The implication is that something supernatural has occurred.

Faith healing is something that really happens at times. We could document many cases where a miracle happens. Jesus did not necessarily need to be God’s Son to heal the man who is deaf and dumb.

His actions show that he was using some popular faith healing techniques when he healed the man. He used his spittle for instance when he touched the man’s ears and tongue.

Sometimes the differences between the miraculous and natural healing are hard to ascertain. We might try at such times not to prove something is a miracle or not. We might just let the wonder of a healing moment wash over us. God is acting in the world all the time. We can be full of skepticism and then again, we can be full of faith.

1.    Have I ever witnessed what I considered a miracle? What were the circumstances?

2.   Do Doctors work miracles when they use their knowledge to heal people? Why or why not?

 Dear Parishioners,

 This Sunday is Scout Sunday and that will be commemorated at our 11 a.m. Mass. We have had Scouting at Sacred Heart for over 100 years. We are thankful that our Scouts have done so many good turns for us.

You are invited to come and pray with the scouts. We remember this Sunday that a scout is reverent. Several boys are working on religious awards that will strengthen the commitment to Christ. We are grateful for all of this.

May Our Lady of Peace Pray for us today,

          Fr. Mark