The human body is truly interesting for its impressive ability to heal. If one falls and breaks a bone the body part can be placed inside of a cast and healing will take place. If one falls and scrapes a knee the skin will begin the process of healing. From the Prophet Isaiah we heard: “Your wound shall quickly be healed.”
We live in the midst of a world which is very much so in need of the healing mercy of God. We can see the effects that sin have raged upon society. With this we see injustices against different races, we see injustices made against the unborn, we see the breakdown of marriage and the family, we see a lack of fear for God and rise of a spirit of relativism.
Despite this our Epistle directs our attention towards the cross. Here Saint Paul pointed out that he “resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” If we want true healing to be brought about within our life and this world then each of us must come to make this same resolution. The cross of our Blessed Lord is important because through it He has come to snatch the world out of Satan’s grasp. The cross of our Lord teaches us to surrender all that we undergo in order that we may live for the Lord.
This makes me think of the Benedictine monk who enters into solemn monastic vows. Here he lays down, is draped with the funeral pall, the bells of the Church are rung as at a funeral, and the monks join together to chant the “Dies Irae” “”Day of Wrath” as would be traditionally used at a funeral. From here the monk rises into his new life which is similar to the new life that springs forth from the Resurrection where our Blessed Lord came to triumph over the tomb of sin and death.
