DAILY HOMILIES #healing

The failure of the scribes and Pharisees to see that God was in their midst despite their familiarity with the scriptures goes to prove the point of today’s first reading: “For indeed the good news came to us just as to them; but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.” (Hebrews 4:2).

Empathy is the first step to healing, but it is not enough. Go beyond words such as: “Sorry, oh. It is well you.” Do whatever is within your power to do. It might seem small compared to the person’s problem, but it would mean the world to them. Sometimes, we underestimate ourselves. What makes you think your prayers cannot heal the sick? With just five loaves and two fish, over five thousand people were fed. Even for someone looking for a million naira, ten naira is something. You might not even have ten naira, but you might know how to connect them to someone who has.

We must consciously reach out to the sick, the oppressed, those held captive, those who do not yet believe in God, and those who are passing through some difficulty or another. With faith, we can lay our hands on people, talk to them, and preach to them, and we would be surprised at the outcome. A Christian who never reaches out to others is a Christian who is ignorant of what he or she has within.

After listening to the leper’s prayer, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying: “I will, be clean.” In other words, I desire your healing. I want you to be strong and healthy. Sickness, pain and misery do not glorify God. Avoid concluding that God does not care about your condition or that God is punishing you for your sins. Regardless of what you are going through, God only desires the best for you. “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

We often ask ourselves, “Where do I start? What impact will I even make?” Jesus came to save the whole world, and He had only thirty-three years to live on earth, thirty of which were spent in preparation. Today, the work Jesus began is still changing lives. The good you begin today, no matter how small, could snowball into something great; it might even outlive you.

Jesus asked the two blind men: “Do you believe I can do this?” Whenever you go on your knees to pray, picture God asking you this question, and please answer it sincerely. Was this question necessary? Jesus needed to ask them because the truth is that not all those who cry and shout in prayer have faith. Not all those who say “Lord, Lord” will enter God’s kingdom.

Ironically, while a blind man did not have trouble recognising Jesus as the Son of David (the promised Messiah), many who could see clearly with both eyes had trouble believing that this “son of a carpenter” was the Son of God. How many Catholics can “see” Jesus present, soul and divinity, in the Holy Eucharist? Bartimaeus was blind, but deep inside him, he could see God present in the person of Jesus. This inner sight eventually brought about his physical sight.

Luke heard the call, and he responded. As a doctor, he treated people and cured their diseases. As an Evangelist, he fed their souls with God’s word. As an academic, he wrote a brilliant Gospel after researching and interviewing eyewitnesses. Luke’s Gospel is both historical and revolutionary (concerning the issue of gender equality). Today’s evangelists are not just those wearing cassocks, suits or white garments. Today’s greatest evangelists touch lives right where they are: doctors, lawyers, engineers, information technology experts, businessmen, etc. You, too, are needed here.

The human body has different parts, and so does the body of Christ. All these parts have specialised functions and work together to keep us alive. We are not all Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, Musicians, etc. We are not equally gifted. Some can work miracles; others can speak in tongues and interpret these tongues. Instead of fighting each other, let us learn to use our gifts for the benefit of all.

If only we could have the Centurion’s kind of faith, there would be no limit to the number of miracles we would experience. Let the words we recite at every mass remind us of how the Centurion’s slave was cured and assure us of our healing.

Jesus knew that the Pharisees were following him to find fault with him. He could have chosen the path of diplomacy, pretending he didn’t see the man with a withered hand. He could have signalled this man to meet him secretly, but Jesus chose to heal him publicly. Do not be afraid of what anyone would do to you. Only fear God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Cf. Matthew 10:28)

Each time we attend the Sacraments, Jesus asks the question He asked the two blind men following him in Matthew 9:27-30, “Do you believe that I can do this?” If you believe Jesus can do it, you will receive your miracle. However, if you do not believe, you are no different from the people of Jesus’ hometown.