Dear Friends,
The Gospels often speak to us of Jesus' great concern and love for the sick. At the very
beginning of His ministry Jesus is found in a synagogue in Capernaum curing a man with an
unclean spirit. Immediately afterwards he enters the home of Simon and Andrew where he is
told that Simon’s mother-in-law is ill with a fever, so “he approached, grasped her hand, and
helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them” (Mark 1:31). Afterwards,
“When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by
demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various
diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew
him” (32-34).
Jesus spoke with the sick, touched them, was an instrument of healing for them. He used signs
in his ministry of healing, signs such as mud and washing, the laying on of hands, even spittle,
all of which revealed that the sick had a very special place in His heart. Jesus’ compassion
towards the sick and the mercy He offered them was palpable to the point of identifying with
them. Whatever is done for the least of these, He said, was done for Him (see Matthew 25:3146).
As Church we are called to continue Jesus' ministry of caring for the sick with deep compassion
and respect. In his message for the World Day of the Sick last year Pope Francis called us to
have “wisdom of heart” to go beyond ourselves and reach out to the sick. In the rush of daily
living, he said, we can often forget the value of “time spent at the bedside of the sick”. We can
“forget about giving ourselves freely, taking care of others, being responsible for others.” Living
in such a way, he says, masks a “lukewarm faith.”
Lent is that time of year when, through God’s help, we strive to grow in faith. Caring for the sick
gives us a unique opportunity to experience that growth. “The experience of suffering can
become a privileged means of transmitting grace and a source for gaining and growing in
wisdom of the heart . . .charity takes time, time to care for the sick and time to visit them. Time
to be at their side”. As we turn our attention this week to the first of our Corporal Works of
Mercy, what action can you take to show those who are sick the love and mercy of God? Will
you consider volunteering for our new Raphael Ministry serving the sick and the homebound?
Can you participate in a parish visit of Praise and Prayer at the Calvert County Nursing Center?
Will you visit someone you know who is sick or homebound? Can you send a card or offer a
prayer?
Peace and blessings,
Fr. John