Learn by Topic: healing

Today’s Gospel from the Mass (Mark 6:53-56) offers a somewhat strange, perhaps confusing demonstration of the awesome power of Christ:

[53] And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennes’aret, and moored to the shore. [54] And when they got out of the boat, immediately the people recognized him,  [55] and ran about the whole neighborhood and began to bring sick people on their pallets to any place where they heard he was.  [56] And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or country, they laid the sick in the market places, and besought him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched it were made well.

There are several astounding things in the Gospel, regarding Jesus’ power: (more…)

Over the past several days, Christ’s immense power has been the focus of the posts.  Today’s Gospel from the Mass (Mark 5:21-43) offers an insight to the love and tenderness of Our Lord.   (more…)

In today’s Gospel from the Mass, Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath (Mark 3:1-6).  Warning: there is a graphic image of a withered hand at the bottom of this page.

[1] Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. [2] And they watched him, to see whether he would heal him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him.  [3] And he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Come here.”  [4] And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent.  [5] And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.  [6] The Pharisees went out, and immediately held counsel with the Hero’di-ans against him, how to destroy him.

The events in the Gospels can sometimes lose their impact on our busy minds.   (more…)

Today’s Gospel from the Mass (Mark 2:1-12) offers a demonstration of the absolutely awe-inspiring way that Jesus deals with the evil/misguided enemies who seek to discredit Him:

[1]And when he returned to Caper’na-um after some days, it was reported that he was at home. [2] And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them.  [3] And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.  [4] And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay.  [5] And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “My son, your sins are forgiven.”  [6] Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts,  [7] “Why does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”  [8] And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question thus in your hearts? [9] Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, `Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, `Rise, take up your pallet and walk’? [10] But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins” — he said to the paralytic — [11] “I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home.” [12] And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

To understand a little more of this incredible show down with the religious enemies of Jesus, consider: (more…)

Today’s Gospel from the Mass (Mark 1:29-39) describes yet another healing miracle by Jesus Christ:

[30] Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him of her.   [31] And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her; and she served them.

As always, we should accept what is presented to us in the Gospel, understand it and attempt to personalize it (more…)

In today’s Gospel from the Mass (Luke 5:12-16), there is an astounding account of one of the times that Jesus heals a Leper (warning, at the bottom of this post is an image of leprosy).  From the Gospel of Luke:

[12]  While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and besought him, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.”  [13] And he stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him.  [14] And he charged him to tell no one; but “go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to the people.”   [15] But so much the more the report went abroad concerning him; and great multitudes gathered to hear and to be healed of their infirmities. [16] But he withdrew to the wilderness and prayed.

The actions of Jesus are absolutely astounding for a number of reasons: (more…)

The Ills of Modern Man

At Eden, Man chose to abuse his freedom, distrusting God and seeking to “be like God” (cf. Gen 3:5). Since then, Man has suffered under the effects of Original Sin (CCC 396-409), which includes the embrace of personal sin and lives full of pain, illness, emotional suffering and death.

Humans have sought to alleviate suffering through modern medical advances to treat mental and physical illnesses.  Modern psychology and psychiatry seek to treat mental illness with cognitive behavioral therapy and various medicines.  Modern physical medicine has made great advances in treating all kinds of bodily illness through diagnostic technology, scientific treatment protocols, pharmaceuticals and surgical procedures.

(more…)