for the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The past week was dominated by a funeral on Friday – a funeral of a twenty-eight year old man – husband – father of three children – the particular situation was all the more complicated by the fact that this man turned up missing for several weeks. Such a trying situation for his young wife and her parents – as well as his parents. As I planned the funeral Mass – I realized very quickly that the last thing anyone needed at this funeral was a long drawn out homily. I also came to understand that our Catholic liturgical prayers for a funeral said everything that had to be said – and at the same time, they were deeply personal – they made clear God’s love for all – God’s compassionate love for the man’s family – and for him.
This week was filled with graduations around here. We had the eighth grade graduation from our school, St. Mary’s School, on Tuesday – another group of young people ready to go off to high school – and this weekend there will be high school graduations from the two high school in our parish – I time of prayer for this batch of young men and women that they may make a difference in this world – however, for me, the most fun was the Kindergarten graduation on Monday night – such a joy – to see how much these little ones have grown up during this year – and also to experience their enthusiasm and joy. So thank you, God, for all of these graduates – give them your spirit and love that they may move along in life with success and enthusiasm.
Now – this Sunday’s Gospel – the Gospel of Mark for the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – the story of two healings of Jesus – a woman who has suffered for twelve years with a problem that doctors cannot solve – but now with faith in Jesus – she pushes forward – touches the hem of his cloak – and is healed. And then the lovely story of Jairus’ daughter – the Synagogue official who seeks help from Jesus – many of the religious leaders of that day rejected Jesus – Jairus did not – he seeks Jesus’ help for his daughter who is dying (curiously, she is twelve years old) – Jesus willingly goes off with him to his home – on the way some from Jairus’ household comes to tell him she has died – Jesus tells him not to fear – to have faith – they continue to the home – and Jesus raises up the girl.
These Gospel stories are about faith – and health – I discovered some interesting ideas about our attitude toward illness as Christians and followers of Jesus – who healed so many. Our Gospel encourages us to have the same strength of faith as Jairus and the woman in the Gospel story. I have told you before about the psychological story that contends that those who have people praying for them do better during surgery – certainly, it gives a person support and hope to know so many are praying for them – and for those of us with faith we do believe in God help. A patient with no faith has a real disadvantage – real sufferings – the suffering of the disease, the suffering that this sickness seems so meaningless – the suffering that life seems to have been suspended. The illness becomes something to be endured rather than lived – they are living in the future rather than the present.
A patient with faith – continues to live as intensely as before and even more so. Sickness can be a valuable experience – a time to discover more about ourselves and about God also. The example I immediately think of is St. Ignatius Loyola – who was converted to a deeper spirituality, who discovered his vocation to the priesthood – and developed his decision to form a religious order – the Jesuit order – the Society of Jesus – all of this while he was recovering in a hospital from wounds suffered in battle.
The sick must be helped to realize how their illness fits in the larger context of their lives – it is not an unfortunate episode in life – but an intrinsic part of it – that this moment has the potential to enrich life. Patients must be helped to tap into their spiritual resources at the time of crisis – spirituality can thrive in a hospital – patients are vulnerable – and yet this can be a time when their spirituality grows and enriches their lives.
God’s love can be experienced – even in suffering – God’s presence does not necessarily take away suffering – but gives the power to transform it. We need God to help us – so that our souls are not reduces to just passively suffering. From our illnesses we can discover a new understanding of who we are.
A painful experience causes us to reflect on our lives – and teaches us to be compassionate towards other sufferings – compassion is not learned without suffering.
The compassion of Jesus – not bending down towards the underprivileged – not a gesture of sympathy or pity – a compassion learned through his own misery, anxiety, loneliness, pain and suffering – God’s unconditional love becomes a compassionate love.
LET US PRAY
Almighty God, my Father – turn to me with your love and healing grace – show me the way to bring your compassionate love to those who are suffering – may we all see in our sufferings a way to your love and life. This is my prayer. Amen.
Please join me as we join together in saying the Lord’s Prayer.
Be sure to check out our parish website – http://www.smsh.org/
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