The healing of Peter's mother-in-law, Chora Museum, Turkey
Click here for today’s Scripture readings.
1 Corinthians 3:1-9
Luke 4:38-44
Suffering in its many forms can be found on most pages of the four Gospels. Some Gospel stories seem closer to our experience than others, especially those about physical suffering. The practice of medicine in Galilee in the time of Jesus left much to be desired by modern standards. The challenge of keeping healthy in that environment serves as a constant backdrop for Jesus’ preaching and merciful deeds.
The healing of Peter’s mother-in-law and the numerous other unidentified people mentioned in today’s excerpt from Luke echo Jesus’ healing ministry in all four Gospels. Truly fortunate were those who lived in the time of Jesus, and in the towns where he was to pass. But just as surely many others never felt his healing touch, nor did he pass through their village on his way to Jerusalem and the death that not even his heavenly Father could spare him.
In our health-conscious era, it is common to hear people say. “Jesus healed so many who were sick in his day. Where is he when my colleague faces a long illness with no hope of return to health? And what of the children who die with leukemia with no chance to enjoy a full life?
The litany of countless people who suffer, especially without any fault of their own, drones on day after day. Reason stumbles before the image of a good God who apparently refuses to prevent the suffering of the innocent. But today’s Gospel invites us to realize that our health is not a possession for ourselves alone, but a gift for others.
These stories of Jesus restoring people to health make clear that sickness and death will come to an end once the kingdom of God has come in its full glory. This is our faith, the faith of the early Church. We yearn for that time, but meanwhile, like Peter’s mother-in-law who enjoyed good health once again, we are called to minister to others. We should be wary of reducing that gesture to making a good supper for Jesus!
We may have to rely on medicine for maintaining health ordinarily, but our loving care for those who are sick can bring healing of the spirit which no medicine can supply.
(Father Paul Zilonka, C.P. is Director of Formation for the Passionist Community in Chicago, Illinois).
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