Jesus cures the sick

III Sunday of Advent

December 15, 2019

Matthew 11, 2-11

In the Gospel we meet John the Baptist once again. But now he is not the prophet preparing the way, but is someone like us, someone who is looking for the Messiah. Maybe John was looking for another type of Messiah. Remember that he was in jail, so it may be that he thought the Messiah would be someone who was going to get the jail. We can imagine him in jail thinking, "Why am I here if Jesus is the Messiah?" Like a friend of Trump in jail; why am I here in prison if my friend is the President?

Jesus responds clearly to John, and also to us. Explaining that the true Messiah is the one who comes to alleviate suffering, restore life and give hope to the poor. Jesus was sent by a merciful Father who wants a more dignified and happy world for all. Therefore, he gives himself to heal wounds, cure ailments and proclaim the good news to the poor.

If we are seeing this, if we are seeing people with their wounds healed, if the poor are hearing the Good News we are seeing Jesus. We, all of the baptized have the same mission as Jesus. The mission of the community of Saint Mary of the Assumption is the mission of Jesus. So if there is someone visiting us this Sunday, what are do they see? Will they see wounds that are healed? Will they see that the good news is proclaimed to the poor?

How do we heal wounds: to give sight to the blind, help the lame to walk, heal lepers, open the ears of the deaf, and raise the dead, it would be great if we had the power to do it but it is not exactly what we have what to do.

Pope Francis explained that he means, “to heal wounds.” He said, “Healing wounds is an urgent task:“ I see clearly that what the Church needs today is an ability to heal wounds and give warmth, closeness and proximity to hearts. ... This is the first thing: heal wounds, heal wounds. ” He speaks of "taking care of people, accompanying them as the good Samaritan who washes, cleanses and comforts". He also speaks of "walking with people at night, knowing how to dialogue and even descending to their night and darkness without getting lost."

We have just celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Reflecting on his message to Juan Diego, I think it was her mission. Yes she cured Juan Bernadino, but more importantly she accompanied the Mexican people who were suffering so much. Not healing everyone, but walking with everyone.

So our mission is to accompany those who are suffering. Perhaps we cannot give sight to the blind, nor open the ears of the deaf, but we can accompany them. In our community those who are suffering are the sick, those who have just lost a loved one, the homeless, and the immigrants. How are we accompanying them?

Each morning at the end of the Mass we invite the ministers of communion to the sick. I am always very happy to see so many ministers who bring communion to the sick. I am very happy knowing that we have people who go to the PIH hospital every day to visit the sick. When we visit the sick we are healing wounds.

The number of funerals we celebrate here in Santa Maria is incredible. Sometimes up to 5 in a week. Most of them are people who do not come to Mass on Sundays. How are we accompanying them? On Thursday, I celebrated the funeral mass of a 50-year-old man. His wife and four children were sitting here right in front. It was very difficult for me to celebrate Mass, to see her sadness. How are we going to accompany them? It is something we have to do. I, along with you, have to organize a ministry to the families of the mourning. It would be a way to evangelize but also to heal wounds.

The homeless: as a parish what are we doing to accompany them? We know very well that their number is growing; we also know that at this time of the year is the most difficult. We will help in the homeless shelter serving food for a week of February, but to be the largest church in Whittier I feel we must do more, we have a great responsibility. I, along with you, have to organize a homeless ministry. It would be a way to evangelize but also to heal wounds.

In entrusting his mission to the disciples, to us, Jesus does not imagine us as doctors, hierarchs, liturgists or theologians, but as healers. Our task is twofold: to announce that the kingdom of God is near and cure the sick. If we can do this they will see us as true disciples of Jesus.