Requirements for healing

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Thirty Second Week : Wednesday*

*Gospel : Lk 17:11-19*

*First Reading : Ti 3:1-7*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 23:1b-3a, 3bc-4, 5, 6*

*Requirements for healing*

*1) Request for healing*

In the Gospel of the day, we have the incident of healing of the lepers by Jesus 

These lepers came to Jesus asking for a healing from their sickness 

 *“Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”* was their prayer and request for Jesus 

*2) Jesus' Reply to the Lepers*

Jesus didn't heal the lepers at that very moment 

Jesus gave them some home work. The home work is this *“Go show yourselves to the priests.”*

This is was the requirement for the healing 

As they were moving forward to meet the priest they were cleansed 

*3) Requirement for healing*

This particular incident also highlights that along with the deep faith, we need to work little more to experience the healing power of Jesus 

So the requirements could be analysed in the following manner 

*A) “Go show yourselves to the priests.”*

In the present day context this could be applied to going for confession 

Going to the priest could be for confession. A good confession can bring healing in our life 

*B)“Go show yourselves to the Family.”*

Today people are busy with many things. Too much pressure to complete the tasks. As a result there is no peace of mind. Lots of stress along with it health issues 

Today Jesus says go and spend sufficient time with the family members. Automatically the healing will take place 

*C)“Go show yourselves to the Needy*

Today there are many people around us who are really needy. The healing of Jesus comes through the needy. So one needs to go to the needy to help them. Such a gesture will definitely bring healing in our life 

*D) “Go show yourselves to the Neighbor*

With out neighbors there is no life. Most of the time we have problems with the neighbors. 

It is said, *the way to heaven passes through the neighborhs corridor*

If so, by hating neighborhs one can't go to heaven

Today Jesus says *“Go show yourselves to the neighbour*

*E) “Go show yourselves to the Altar*

This altar could be the altar at home or altar in the Church. This simply highlights the importance of prayer in our life. Without prayer no healing is possible

*F) “Go show yourselves to the Poor*

Helping the poor is at the center of Christian spirituality. Without helping the poor no Christian spirituality. Today Jesus says to help the poor to witness the healing of Jesus

*G)  “Go show yourselves to the Sick, Suffering and Lonely*

Without meeting them how can I be a genuine Christian. Only by helping them I can experience the healing power 

*H)“Go show yourselves to the Elderly Parents*

There are many elderly parents who are either living in the home for the aged or at home lonely. Children are well settled else where. Those children who are far away and those who don't care for the parents, today Jesus says *“Go show yourselves to the elderly, sick and lonely parents* to experience the healing power of God 

*4) Fulfillment of the Requirement*

From the above Gospel it is very clear that I need to fulfil certain requirements in order to experience the healing power of Jesus 

So am I ready to fulfill the requirements? 

 Am I ready to show myself wherever it is necessary?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*