Sunday October 27, 2024
“Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” These are the words of Bartimaeus in this Sunday’s gospel, words he utters on behalf of all of humanity. To be human is to find oneself constantly in need of healing, forgiveness, acceptance. We cannot heal our own wound, but we can receive salvation through faith, healing grace. In the bible, death was seen as the ultimate form of sickness. Jesus’ defeat of sickness was a sign of his progressive victory over death, a sign that gave meaning to his words: “I have come that you may have life and have it to the full” (Jn 10:10).
Just as Bartimaeus had an encounter with Jesus, so the Risen Lord will be present when our community celebrates a healing Mass at noon on Saturday, November 9th with special prayers for caregivers too. By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. The Council of Trent teaches that the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Furthermore, the sacramental anointing of the sick comforts and strengthens the soul of the sick person, by arousing in them great trust in divine mercy; supported by this the sick person bears more lightly the trials of their illness; and sometimes regains bodily health when it is expedient for the salvation of their soul. Jesus heals Bartimaeus, saying, “your faith has saved you.”
During these last months, I have accompanied friends through treatment of cancer all the way to presiding at their funerals. One wonderful woman is in the fifth of twelve rounds of treatment and her faith and kindness shine through the burden of her illness. The Church exhorts the sick person to freely unite themselves to the passion and death of Christ. So sickness, accepted in faith, is something that can be lived positively, which can become a prayer and a part of the Church’s life in Christ, of her sacrifice of praise. Please see the information below about our parish’s Cancer Support Ministry that meets one Monday a month. In Christ,
Rev. Robert P. Capone