Luke 19:10 tells us that Jesus
came to seek and to save. He does this by bringing healing in ways that are alike
yet different.
Paul says to imitate him and
those that came with him. Follow his example so that Christ can changie our
lowly bodies to be like his glorified body. (PHIL 3:17-4:1) In the
gospel, Jesus heals the lepers’ bodies which are ravaged by disease. They are
the outcast of society, but, Jesus tells them to go back. They could do this if
they were clean and without disease. Jesus made them new. (LK 17:11-19)
In both of these readings,
we find healings that are alike yet different. In the gospel, the body is
healed. Jesus gave the lepers new bodies. In Paul’s letter, we are promised spiritual
healing. Christ makes for us a glorified body.
These are healings and the source
of salvation, alike yet different. They both require the same things: faith and
fidelity to Jesus; fortitude (don’t give up); don’t forget Christ; imitate
those who have these traits; and praise Jesus.
Let’s focus on one, imitation.
Have you ever thought imitation was an act of faith?
Cardinal Timothy Dolan in his
book, “Priests for the Third Millennium” tells this story: As a teenager he would go with his pastor on
visits. This monsignor was respected and had a great responsibility; but he was
always faithful in the smallest of things.
One day, they visited an
elderly parishioner in a nursing home and found her lying on the floor in pool
of her own urine. The priest never said a word; he took off his coat, grabbed a
mop to cleaned up, helped her get dressed in clean clothes, kissed her on the
head, and gave her a bottle of lotion as a Christmas present.
Cardinal Dolan says that was
a true witness of humble love he tries to imitate that pastors example. Two men
of faith alike yet different, one imitated Christ and influenced another to do
the same.
We need to imitate true faith,
fidelity, fortitude, and gratitude of those that Jesus healed. They lived lives
with faith, fidelity, fortitude, and gratitude as an essential part of their
daily lives; small acts important to the Lord. These are imitations of Christ,
the saints, and all the holy; alike yet different in each of us. They are signs
of our healing.
We’re here today for true
healing which only comes for God. As believers, we witness our healing every
day. We are healed when we surrender all that we are to Jesus and the will of God.
Paul, the Leper, even Cardinal Dolan surrendered completely. It healed them and
made them new. Imitate the faith, fidelity, and gratitude of those who have
been healed. Turn to Christ and give him thanks.
It doesn’t matter if that
healing is in body or in the spirit; alike yet different, both make us new. People
of faith are healed and in true faith they know it. Praise God and claim the
healings Christ has bestowed upon us, alike yet different in each of us according
to the will of the Father.
For the Son has come to seek
and to save what was lost. Thank Him for all He has done for us.
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