| Fr. Doug’s Musings
6th Sunday of Ordinary Time
I have been sick the past week with a bug that has settled in my lungs. This is not a new thing for me. My whole life long, my respiratory system has been the weak point of my body. I have been absent for much of the week, celebrating Morning Mass and then trying to recuperate. I hope the healing process continues and my life will return to normal as soon as possible. As you come to know me, you will appreciate that I come with gifts and weaknesses. My susceptibility to respiratory illnesses has been a struggle and no amount of efforts to strengthen my immune system have worked. I assure you I have tried many over the last 50+ years. Of course we never get sick at convenient times.
On Tuesday, we celebrated the Blessing of the Throats and this weekend we will celebrate the Anointing of the Sick. These rituals may or may not bring immediate relief and healing of body or mind but they do remind us we belong to God and we care about and for each other. Let us continue to place ourselves in the hands of our God and pray for those who are sick and suffering in our Parish, for the healing of those illnesses that are visible and invisible and keep us from loving one another as sisters and brothers in Christ.
Also on Tuesday, we were grateful for a time of prayer and visiting with our bishop, Bishop Mark and with each other. We were reminded of our responsibility to give thanks and praise to God as we sang our Evening Prayer in communion with the whole Church, We were reminded also of our connectedness to the Diocese, to the other parishes and to our Bishop. We also enjoyed the company of each other. It was a great moment in our preparation for the great season of Lent. As we prepare for the beginning of the Lenten Season, we take stock of what we might need to focus on in our journey as God’s people. Many years ago, one of my spiritual directors helped me to become aware of my core sin – that sin which continues to distract me from my journey with the Lord. It is helpful for me to make life choices that lead me back to the Gospel, to the God who loves me. Lent is a good time for me to take stock of my spiritual life, my journey with the Lord and the things that distract me. The scriptures, the private devotions (Way of the Cross) and the practices of fasting, penance, almsgiving and liturgical prayer are all gifts to us, given by the Church, to help us repent and return to the Gospel.
This Sunday, the Gospel tells the story of a man with leprosy who took a chance and went to Jesus hoping that Jesus would heal him. He says to Jesus with great confidence, “If you choose, you can make me clean!” We are told that Jesus responds to him by reaching out and touching him, saying, “I do choose. Be made clean!” What do we do when people who need healing come to us? What do we do when we need healing? Is turning to Jesus with confidence a part of our healing journey?
A Reminder …
Sunday, February 11 is World Day of Prayer for the Sick. As Catholics, we know that the Corporal works of mercy include: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, ransoming the captive, burying the dead, sheltering the stranger, comforting the sick, and clothing the naked. This Sunday, on February 11, we will pray for the sick and hopefully offer them a reminder of our prayer and support for them. While we will bring those who are sick to the Church, let us not forget those who for various reasons, cannot come to the church to receive this very visible sign of support and encouragement. Perhaps during the coming season of Lent, we can make a special effort to support those who are sick and suffering in our families and in our communities. |
