We must have concern for those who are sick. This has been very apparent in the past few years due to COVID-19. We must also have concern for those who care for those who are ill. These past couple of years have been especially stressful for them. To this the Catechism of the Catholic Church instructs us: "Heal the sick!" The Church has received this charge from the Lord and strives to carry it out by taking care of the sick as well as by accompanying them with her prayer of intercession. She believes in the life-giving presence of Christ, the physician of souls and bodies.”
Our Gospel shows the concern that a group of people had in caring for this sick man. Christ was pleased with the faith and charity exhibited by these people and thus He cured the man of his palsy and forgave his sins. We must therefore join with this crowd in having concern for those who are sick. It should be our goal to lead them towards the Lord who consoles us in the Gospel of Saint Matthew by stating: “Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”
This Gospel serves as a lesson in following after the Lord and placing our trust in Him. The Lord only heals the man of his palsy after he forgives him of his sins. So too when one is ill and facing the possibility of death that they must come to place their trust in the Lord. Bodily healing means nothing if the state of our soul is in danger of eternal damnation. Sickness is never pleasant, but in these moments we are given an opportunity to draw close to the Lord and His sorrowful passion which sets us free from sin and death.
When we come to encounter the sick, either spiritually or bodily, may we always bring the Lord to them for it is the Lord alone who can bring healing. Through our prayers, our urgent admonitions, and good example we lead individuals to this font of mercy and love. If the Lord is the one who is encountered there is always hope, for the Lord has triumphed over sin and death. It is the Lord who brings mercy and healing, as He displayed these traits in forgiving the man’s sins and healing him from his palsy.
Let us always be attentive to the needs of those who are sick and encourage them to encounter the Lord and His mercy. When we are sick may we be willing to discover this mercy and forgiveness that Lord alone shows to us and to the whole world.
