Posted by The WORD in other words (2006) by Brother Eugenio Orog SVD – SVD Postulancy, Tagaytay City
Wednesday 22nd Week in Ordinary Time
As Christians we are called to be healers. This means helping others in their pains and stresses to live lovingly and peacefully. In all our afflictions God wills that through Jesus we will be healed and be healers to others as well. Harmony in body, in relationship with others, and in all creation is what the Lord desires for all of us. We are meant to have a reconciled and transformed life which Paul pointed out in his letter to the Corinthians (3:1-9)
In the Gospel today, Jesus healed the mother-in-law of Simon through the intercession of others. She was sick with severe fever. Not only her but other people too who were diabolically possessed – the demons came out of them. The message is clear. Jesus heals the total person.
In many medical schools nowadays, they are now offering to their students courses on spirituality. For instance, as of 1999 in the USA, out of one hundred twenty five medical schools sixty one have spirituality courses in their curriculum. This is born out a conviction that the body is very much linked to the psyche and the spirit. Victor Frankl has pointed out this connectedness when he said, “People are not destroyed by suffering, he destroyed by suffering without meaning.”
Sickness and suffering will always be part of our lives. Consequently, we need others who are spiritually mature to give meaning and enlightenment to our suffering as the mother-in-law of Simon needed help from other people. In this way, our suffering can be offered to God. Offered suffering or sickness is redemptive.
In this context therefore, all of us are called to be wounded healers to everyone unworthy though we maybe. For it is from an experience of brokenness that we can be one with those who suffer. We can help alleviate their pains through our empathy. So while holding on to our faith in Jesus we can share that fullness of his life to others. May we all be wounded healers to everyone.
Relevant Story / Reflection by Fr Fred Mislang SVD from the WORD in other words 2009
Francis McNutt, in his book, Power to Heal, wrote something about a wonderful nurse. She begins each day by asking Jesus to bless her hands and use them to heal her patients. The nurse then goes about her duties and responsibilities in a caring, loving way.
Francis McNutt also describes a New York University study of nurses who lay hands on patients, lovingly, with the intention of healing them. The results are astounding. The patients recover more rapidly. It seems, Francis McNutt says, that loving, caring people communicate, through their hands; a loving, life-giving power to sick bodies.
Lord, teach us what a great power you gave us in the power of a loving touch. Help us use it to help people, especially the elderly, the sick, and the lonely.
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