HEALING

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this 18^th Tuesday in Ordinary Time is, “Healing!”

Today’s first reading from Jeremiah 30 begins with the theme of a running sore  - an incurable wound. 

Today’s gospel from Matthew 14 ends with the message of healing. “”People  brought to him all those who were sick and begged him that they might touch only the tassel of his cloak, and many as touched it were healed.”

CUTS, BRUISES AND WOUNDS

All of us with skin have had our cuts - down through the years.

I recently mentioned in a homily about a “boo boo” - that a little grandnephew spotted on my hand across a crowded room.

He saw the band aid. And it wasn’t a kids’ band aid.

I have a cut on my forehead for about two months now - and it’s not healing. The skin doctor took a biopsy of it the other day - and I’ll find out this week what it is. I have Irish skin and my brother died of melanoma - so I’m aware of skin - sunburnt skin as a kid - with the blisters on the shoulders - and skin problems in my old age. The wrapping starts coming off the package at times - or gets ripped in shipping.

I remember hearing that the easiest doctor job was that of being a dermatologist - “If the skin is dry - moisturize it; if the skin is oily, dry it.”

Times have changed - or I was never in a dermatologist office way  back when. Now they have busy schedules - dealing with acne, cancer, basal cell carcinoma - tattoo removal, warts and all.

Then there are folks with diabetes with wounds that won’t heal - and wound centers keep trying to help folks heal.

PSYCHOLOGICAL WOUNDS

So folks know physical wounds - everyone of us gets cut - in the kitchen and while sealing an envelope. I hate paper cuts - especially on the tongue. “Oooooooh!”  “Ouch!”

And we all also  know of inner wounds - words that cut us, memories that won’t go away from abuse, from abandonment.

Sometimes forgiveness doesn’t happen when it comes to forgiving self or forgiving others….

Sometimes communication doesn't happen or it doesn't work.

So we all have battle wounds.

TODAY’S READINGS

Today’s first reading can be helpful and hopefully move us towards healing.

After using the word “incurable” - Jeremiah has the Lord promising healing. First he says that pain and guilt, cries and wounds, can come from our sins - our choices - our actions.

Then he speaks about coming back to the Lord - approaching the Lord.

Happiness and laughter can come back as well.

Tents and cities can be restored.

Healing can happen….  Sometimes slowly…. In God’s good time. First the scab….  Then the skin….  Sometimes the scar….

I would suspect that the skin of the soul has lots of scars - hopefully hard scars - that have occurred where there seemed to be incurable wounds.

Today’s gospel can be heard as dealing with the storms at sea and the storms of life.  

Life is like a trip across the lake.  We’re on  shore. Then it’s time to get into the boat - pull up the anchor - pull in the ropes  - and who knows what might happen till we get to the other side of life?

Life, from birth to death, can be quite a trip. Sometimes we are just cruising along or just fishing or sailing and a storm hits us.

Life can be the shore - SHORE - and sure - SURE. And life on the water can become unsure - UNSURE. Sometimes the water is calm; sometimes it’s classic strong.

RELATIONSHIPS

Much of life takes place in our relationships.

Relationships are where we get cut, burnt, wounded, many a time.

Both readings bring out a key dynamic in any relationship. Sometimes there is clear sailing and sometimes there are storms.

Life can be smooth - sometimes choppy - sometimes stormy.

I love the saying: "In a storm, pray for land - but start rowing."

I always love to use the saying: “Pray for potatoes - but pick up a shovel.”

Pray for healing - but go to the doctor.

Pray for healing - but put Vaseline on the cut.

Pray for healing of memories - but talk to someone about what’s going on.

Pray for healing - but reach out to touch the tassel of Jesus’ cloak.

Pray for safety, but  invite Jesus aboard or start walking and swimming towards him - on the water - even if you start to sink.

Then sink or swim.

Sometimes if we open up our eyes we’ll see God coming across the waters to save us. When we feel our life is one big stormy ride, we might have to get out of our comfort zone, our boat, and walk on the waters towards God.

Sometimes God comes to us - will walk on water to reach us - especially in the storms of life; sometimes we have to take the chance to walk on water to reach out to him.

Healing happens - with time - prayer - and action on our part.

CONCLUSION

The title of my homily was, “Healing.”

Take the IN away from the IN curable.