Homily - July 1, 2012 - Homily, 13th Sunday Ordinary Time, Cycle B

Readings for the day:  Wis 1:13-15; 2:23-24, Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13, 2 Cor 8:7, 9, 13-15, Mk 5:21-43

 

Over the last four years I did not have a lot of time to read books or see movies with all my studies, but recently my son asked me to see the movie, Hunger Games. I agreed to do so, but only if we both read the book together first.  On June 3^rd I turned in my last paper and I was ready to go! 

Who here has read the book or saw the movie, the Hunger Games?

I can see there are some who have not so I will provide a short summary.  The premise of the story is based on the concept of Roman Gladiators fighting to the death with a few twists.

1)   It’s set in futuristic post revolution nation in North America, which is divided into twelve districts. 

2)   The “gladiators” are teenagers, both boys and girls, with one from each of the districts chosen by lottery annually to compete.

3)   There is only one winner, the one who survives the fighting, and they are richly rewarded and so is their district.

4)   The entire nation views the event live over the television through cameras hidden in the forest.

5)   The Hunger Games are conducted by the ruling dictatorship to show they control all aspects of peoples’ lives.

Like today’s’ Gospel, healings play a crucial role in the story that centers around two characters from the poorest district in the country, named Katnis and Peeta.  Katnis is the female contestant, who volunteers to take the place of her younger sister who was chosen by lottery.  Peeta, is the male contestant, and has shown compassion for Katnis and her family by providing them food.

In preparation for the games Peeta reveals on national television that he has a love interest in Katnis.   This is endearing to the viewers, but also sad as everyone knows that only one contestant survives.

Fast forward to the games and less than half of the competitors are left.  Peeta has helped Katnis survive by keeping the others away from her, which could cost his own life.  Mysteriously a rule change is announced eerily over loud speakers that two can contestants can survive if they are from the same district.  Katnis is filled with hope knowing Peeta has been trying to help her and she immediately rushes through the forest to find him. She does find him by almost stepping on his face as she walks along the rocky creek bed.  He is seriously injured and is hiding under the rocks leaving only his mud-covered face exposed. He’s on the brink of death, week, and can barely move.  Katnis moves him into a cave to nurse him to health.  Knowing the whole nation is watching Katnis appeals to their mercy hoping someone will provide something to heal Peeta.  She will do anything to help him, even sacrifice her life.

Do any of you have someone you love that is suffering from illness or injury?           Are praying for what that person needs?

In today’s Gospel we find two people suffering from illness, the synagogue official, Jairus’ daughter and the women with the hemorrhage.   Both are at a point of desperation. The woman has been ill12 years seeking the help of doctor, which has only left her in worse shape and penniless.  Jairus fears his daughter’s death.

Most of the common folks of the time sought out local people who were known as healers. Somehow the word had gotten out that Jesus was of healer. Could Jesus really be the cure for their ills?

Jesus did have the power to heal both the young girl and the woman.   His healing had a two fold mission: To strengthen his disciples faith by showing them who he was, the Son of God, and also because he truly cared and had compassion.

Both healing stories have several common elements: asking for Jesus help, having Faith, and the healing “touch” of Jesus.   

The Gospel tells us Jairus asks for help in that, “Seeing Jesus he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him”.  This is a model of prayer.

The human element of touch is also sought in both healings.  Jairus asks, “Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live." The woman said, "If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured."  There is something about our human nature that values the sense of touch.   It’s soothing.  It’s a connection with other who provides comfort. Jesus understands this is a necessary part of human healing.

The most important element of both healings was faith.  Jesus tells the woman, “Daughter, your faith has healed you, go in peace and be cured of your affliction” and Jairus is told, "Do not be afraid; just have faith."  Both of these people had faith, but the crowd did not. Jesus only had people of faith with him when he healed the young girl.  People of faith help to lift you up.

Prayer, Jesus touch, and Faith in Jesus led to the healing of both women.   I think we can learn from them.

In the Hunger Games, there is a healing as well.  As you recall Peeta is on the brink of death, and Katnis appeals for help.  The “Capital” announces the contestants will have the opportunity to obtain what they need to survive by coming to the starting point of the games the next day. To do so risks the life of each contestant.  Katnis exhibits selfless courage and is willing to sacrifice her life.  She succeeds and Peeta is healed.  Katnis displays the virtues of fortitude, faith, hope, and charity, which are signs of the Holy Spirit working within her. But the story really lacks one important element, the explicit presence of God and asking for His help.

Our world today has certainly been blessed through the advances of science and medicine to cure illnesses that were totally unheard of in the times of Jesus. The one problem with all these advances is that many people only look to the modern medicine and don’t turn to God to help with their illnesses.  Their mental or physical healing is taken care of, but their spirit is ignored.  As humans we are both body and soul, and our souls need healing as well.

Fortunately for us our Lord Jesus left us his church and the sacraments to help in healing our soul in dealing with difficulties.  First of all we can rely on prayer, asking Jesus for the help we need to overcome our troubles.  Also requesting prayers through the body of Christ, our family, friends, and faith community can help as well. 

The church also provides Jesus healing presence through the sacraments. The Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our souls and bodies, has willed that his Church continue, in the power of the Holy Spirit, his work of healing and salvation. This is the purpose of the two sacraments of healing: Penance and Anointing of the Sick.

In our faith community both of these sacraments are readily available.   The Anointing of the Sick is available once a month after Mass, two times a quarter after daily Mass and once a quarter after Sunday Mass. Of course the sacrament of anointing is available at other times for those who have a more acute need. 

The anointing of the sick is not just for people who are seriously ill or having surgery. It’s also for their caregivers, the grieving, and to help the spiritual struggles of those who are ill. Sometimes we may not be able to be physically or mentally healed, for whatever reason we don’t know. When we are faced with these challenges our spirits need healing. When our spirits are healed it can help us to face anything and it strengthens our faith.  Anointing of the sick incorporates the healing touch of Jesus through the anointing with the oil of the infirm by the priest and the comforting words of our Savior through the prayers of the rite of anointing.

The sacrament of Penance is offered weekly on Saturday mornings after Mass.   Many people suffering from mental & physical distress can have their spirits healed through this sacrament   Its amazing how your spirit is lifted after receiving forgiveness from the priest.  If it has been a while since went to confession don’t worry, Father Vince and Fr. Anto will coach you through.

I’d be remiss if I did not mention the sacrament that is the living presence of Christ available to us daily, the Eucharist. It is the source of what all sacraments flow from. Through the Eucharist we are fed and strengthened from the life of Christ. If you are suffering from any illness, physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual, you may need a spiritual boost.  Why not encounter the healing touch of Jesus and receive him in the Eucharist? You will be amazed how the encounter with Christ will lift your spirits.

In closing the most important thing Jesus taught was having faith in him.  Participating in our faith community and receiving the Sacraments will help to strengthen your faith.  Through prayer, healing touch, and faith in Jesus you can be more fully healed taking care of your soul as well as your body.    May God bless you!