The Healing Power of Faith in Daily Life

Greetings on this the Friday after Epiphany

Readings: 1 John 5:5-13; Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20; Luke 5:12-16

Summary

We need the Lord in all aspects of life. Small infections (which can debilitate the course of one’s life) or major bodily damage are all under the Lord’s care. He has given us the disciples (Apostles) to provide for this healing. Chief among all healing is forgiveness.

The Cleansing of a Leper (Scaly Infection)

It happened that there was a man full of leprosy in one of the towns where Jesus was; and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded with him, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do will it. Be made clean.” And the leprosy left him immediately.

Everyone is looking for you (MK 1:37)

Then he ordered him not to tell anyone, but “Go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” Great crowds assembled to listen to him and to be cured of their ailments, but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray.

Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.

One aspect of people with scaly infections is obvious: it is visual. You can see the ailment. He might have had psoriasis, or seborrhoeic dermatitis, or certain mycotic infections, or patchy eczema, and/or pityriasis rosea. Or something more serious. We don’t know. We know that skin ailments are a constant problem, reoccurring often and in need of medical care.

The Lord is always healing us. We need constant healing.

Stages of Healing

1. Ask to be healed
2. Receive the healing of mind, body and spirit.
3. Go to Church (the proof statement: (a) against those who don’t believe ironically enough; (b) to maintain proper order/credit origin of care)
4. Pray and contemplate

Order of Care in Luke

1. The Call of Simon the Fisherman.
2. The Cleansing of a Leper.
3. The Healing of a Paralytic.
4. The Call of Levi.

These two important cleansing stories of the Leper (he touched the unclean, minor healing) and the Paralytic (miraculously significant healing and forgives sin), are encapsulated by the calling of the disciples. We can assume by this placement that the disciples are to learn to do the same and are given such authority and power to heal and forgive.

Neither Footnote Nor Final Answer

These healing stories are neither a footnote to the life of Jesus nor the final answer to the divine care through Jesus. They are reminders we need healing repeatedly, significantly and the greatest healing – forgiveness. The medical arts are a gift to be sure. Yet when we look at these stories as our spiritual needs we see: pleading, helping, and forgiving.

Love heals

I write these things to you so that you may know that you have eternal life, you who believe in the name of the Son of God.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011025.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry