The last 18 months have been rather challenging health-wise for John and for me. Prior to this we were blessed with great health and lots of energy. We traveled quite a bit and were enjoying life post- retirement. Then one by one, we began facing some hard times and I found myself constantly asking my family and friends for prayer. When I read yesterday’s Gospel, it hit me how we had managed to come through each crisis.
The reading was from Luke, chapter five. Jesus was teaching and “the power of the Lord was with Him for healing.” And there were friends of a man who had been paralyzed who were carrying him on a stretcher for Jesus to cure him. But the crowds were so large that they couldn’t get close to Him. Using their ingenuity, determination, persistence and faith they climbed onto the roof and lowered their friend on the stretcher through the tiles and placed him directly in front of Jesus. Jesus marveled at their faith and cured the man. The man immediately got up, “picked up what he was lying on and went away glorifying God.”
I began meditating on this amazing story because I truly feel that my family and friends have been spiritually carrying us and placing us directly in front of our Lord for healing. So many prayers have been offered, gifts of nutritious meals were left on our porch, flowers were delivered to cheer us, and care packages sent. I honestly never felt worthy of all of these outpourings of love and care. But this is what the body of Christ looks like in human flesh and blood. We take care of one another.
Sometimes, I think we are like spiritual EMT’s. The calls come in and the wheels are set in motion. Occasionally all that’s needed is an encouraging word, other times life saving measures are in order. But our main job is to place our neighbor directly in front of Jesus for healing, whether it be physical, emotional or spiritual. He is the Divine Physician and knows what’s best for us.
I have heard this scripture passage from Luke so many times in the past but now it has new meaning for me. As we look forward to yet another healing (this time from the Covid virus) we are already glorifying God for His goodness and mercy and for all of those who have carried us on our stretchers.