 Fr.
Tom's Tomes February 19, 2006
The faith of the paralytic in today’s gospel shows to what extent a person is willing to seek the healing power of Jesus Christ. In our Catholic Church the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick provides us the opportunity to encounter the healing power of Jesus Christ in our lives today. I have shared this sacrament with many people and have seen the great healing power of Christ in our world today.
In the first parish I was assigned I was asked to come to a hospital in the area where one of the parishioners was in very serious condition. The sister of the patient said the doctors did not think she was going to make it. I reminded her of the faith we need to have in Jesus’s healing power and anointed her sister. In a couple of days she showed remarkable signs of recovering and was able to go home. Jesus still heals the sick today. We must have faith in turn to ask for the healing of Christ in our lives.
I would like to invite parishioners to call the parish office when a person is hospitalized. It is not my practice to just walk into the hospital to find out if a Catholic person is there. However if someone is Catholic and I am able I will do my best to visit the person. I know I am not always able to get to the hospital but I do try. The better thing is also to leave a message in the parish office. If you stop me after Mass many times if you mention someone is in the hospital I do forget. Many people tell me many things after Mass and it might be a week or two before something triggers my mind to remember what was said.
Also if you know you will be going into the hospital for tests or surgery I would encourage you to receive the anointing of the sick before entering the hospital. It is important to remember healing is divine. We need the power and help of Jesus to heal our bodies. Doctors and nurses are part of the healing process in our world. They help Jesus to heal those who are sick. In the anointing of the sick I pray the doctors and nurses may share the healing power of God with the person who is ill. I believe most doctors and nurses I know want God to help them in their jobs to heal the sick.
During the Lent Season it is my hope to get around to visit and share with the homebound and those in the nursing home the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Individuals who are over 65 years of age and those who are chronically ill can receive the Sacrament of the Sick at least twice a year. It is my hope to make time to visit those who are unable to make it to Mass on the weekends. I have been given a list of those whom the parish office knows are homebound and are in nursing homes and I am looking forward to visiting with all of you.
God bless you and have a good week.
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