Understanding the Healing Ministry of Jesus
Job 7:1-4, 6-7; Psalm 147; 1 Corinthians 9:16–19, 22–23; Mark 1:29–39
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
The gospel of today presents us with the healing ministry of Jesus. The healing ministry of Jesus, as recorded in the synoptic gospels, shows Jesus’ commitment to restore the whole person to God and not focus on a single dimension of healing. Thus, the healing ministry is all-encompassing. As we have it in today’s gospel, it involves preaching, visitation, healing, and deliverance. This captures the prophecy that was released by the Prophet Isaiah (Is. 61:1) and the fulfillment in Luke 4:18 when Jesus gave his manifesto, saying, “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, and to declare the year of God’s favor.”
In the ministry of Jesus Christ. A part is not separated from the whole. Thus, we must understand that the healing ministry of Jesus must not only focus on the physical restoration of a sick person but also on the absolute restoration of man to God. This healing ministry functions in various capacities, as opposed to the belief that it is only exercised by those who own healing centers.
Healing ministry is a function of God’s word. We must preach the gospel; St. Paul says in the second reading of today, 1 Corinthians 9:16, “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” The term “woe” is found numerous times in the Old and New Testaments. It is the favorite expression of the prophets when announcing God’s judgment upon nations, cities, or individuals. Jesus used it several times against the Pharisees and the Scribes. It means God’s judgment and wrath. So, St. Paul is saying that he is under the threat of judgment from God if he fails in his responsibility to preach the gospel. Beloved, preaching the gospel is our responsibility; we shall come under God’s judgment if we fail to preach the gospel. The best way to preach is to behave well. We shall come under God’s judgment if we do not behave well. Again, we must not relegate God’s word to the pursuit of casting and binding. Ministers spend the whole day in church casting and binding why the people suffer the want of God’s word.
Healing ministry is a function of a divine search. The Catechism of the Catholic Church in number 1501 says that “very often illness provokes a search for God and a return to him.” This is true. When Hezekiah became sick, he turned to God. Many blind people and sick people searched for Jesus; some cried out. The Son of David has pity on me. In today’s gospel, the disciples said to Jesus, “Everyone is searching for you.” Beloved, people still have this search for God. Many people still hunger for God’s word, and many are searching for liberation in him because only in him can the best result be assured. Most importantly, we must search for him for salvation. He himself said, “Seek, and you shall find.” In the gospel, he says, “That is why I came out.” He came out to save the lost sheep of the house of Israel. He is out to save you and me. He is bringing many from darkness to light, from ignorance to knowledge, and from sin to righteousness.
Healing ministry is also a function of visiting the sick. Beloved, whenever we visit the sick, we engage in healing ministry. The gospel tells us that Jesus left the synagogue for Simon’s house, where he restored Simon’s mother-in-law, who was sick. This care for the sick continues to propel our priests in their visitation to the sick. A pastoral visit to the sick is a major aspect of healing ministry. This visit is not just reserved for the priest alone, but for all of us. We are called to share in this healing ministry of Jesus. You don’t need to establish a center or a chapel for healing before you can carry out healing ministry. The simple visit you carry out does more. As Jesus went from the church to Peter’s house, we must equally go from the church to our houses, hospitals, and places of work to do good and to serve.
Healing ministry is one of the primary functions of the church. The church heals through pastoral care for the sick. The church does this in various dimensions. The church heals emotionally through her counselors. Many people suffer hurts, emotional injuries, and abuses, but through the instrumentality of a well-trained counselor, they are restored. However, we give praise to God, who heals the brokenhearted (today’s response to the Psalm). The Church heals through the sacrament of forgiveness. Sin is a spiritual sickness, and through the priest, many are restored to health. The church heals through the establishment of hospitals. Some people feel that for a church to have a hospital is a clear indication of faithlessness. Some believers go all the way to de-emphasize drugs during ailments. Beloved, God has given us knowledge so that we may not suffer. Hospitals are centers of healing through the instrumentality of medical doctors. When you follow their prescription, you can be restored. Where this has proven impossible, the Church also offers healing through direct prayers, mass for the sick, and anointing of the sick. (Jas 5:14-15)
Healing ministry is a function of prayer. The gospel tells us that “a great while before day, Jesus rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed.” Every Christian needs a quiet place for prayer. Jesus, even though he was God, prayed ceaselessly. No one can work on healing without prayer. We cannot exercise the unction for healing without dwelling in the secret place of God. So, we must continue to stir up our spirit through prayer. Many ministers today are just forcing themselves to exercise what they have not installed in the secret place of God. We cannot give what we don’t have. Because of this emptiness, some have given in to magic and fetish power to work miracles. Beloved, we must learn from the Master. He is a man of prayer, and we too must be men and women of prayer. Again, this prayer is an invitation to pray for the sick. Whenever we pray for the sick, we are exercising the healing ministry of Jesus. God hears the prayers of the saints for the sick.
Healing ministry is a function of freely uniting ourselves to the passion and death of Christ. Illness and suffering have always been among the gravest problems confronted in human life. In illness, man experiences his powerlessness, his limitations, and his finitude. Every illness can make us glimpse death. (CCC.1500). Job in the first reading expressed this in a dramatic way. He waited for his healing, and he went through tossing day and night. Many of us continue to suffer from ailments for a long period of time. Rather than wandering about, let us unite our suffering with that of Jesus’ passion, and surely we shall be restored. If his story did not end in shame, then why are we troubled? Believe in him, and healing will definitely come. Job story ended in praise; no condition is permanent; our story will also end in praise if we give in to the suggestions and voice of mere mortals. Again, uniting it with Christ’s passion equally means that even though we may have to face death, we are not giving up on God. Shadrach Meshach and Abednego decided not to give up, even though God would not save them. St. Paul became a slave for the sake of the gospel, and then he says that our suffering is brief and our blessings in heaven are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16–18). Beloved, Healing ministry also means the ability to accept suffering or death whenever it comes. God help us all. Amen
