Third Sunday of Advent (A)
15 December 2013
Matthew 11: 2 to 11
When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”
Heal Wounds
José Antonio Pagola
Jesus’ behavior puzzled the Baptist. He hoped for a Messiah who would eradicate sin from the world by imposing the severe judgment of God, not a Messiah devoted to healing wounds and alleviating suffering. From the prison of Machaerus he sends a message to Jesus: “Are you the one who is to come or should we wait for another?”
Jesus’ answer is to place before him the life of a healer-prophet: “Go back and tell John what you hear and see; the blind receive sight, the lame walk; lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear; the dead are raised to life; and the Good News is preached to the poor.” This is the true Messiah: the one who comes to alleviate suffering, to heal life, and to open a horizon of hope for the poor.
Jesus feels himself sent by a merciful father who wants a more dignified and happy world for all. It’s why he devotes himself to curing wounds, healing suffering and freeing all life. So he asks us all: “Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate.”
Jesus does not feel he is sent by a strict judge to judge sinners and condemn the world. That is why he does not terrorize anyone with threats of judgment but offers his friendship and pardon to sinners and prostitutes. So he appeals to all: “Do not judge and you will not be judged.”
Jesus never cures people at random and merely to cause a sensation. He heals moved by compassion when seeking to restore life to those sick persons broken and crushed by misfortune. They are the first ones who have to learn from experience that God favours a healthy and dignified life for all.
Jesus never wanted to emphasise the sensational character of his healing episodes nor did he find in them an easy solution to do away with suffering in the world. He presented his healing activity as a sign to show the direction his followers should take to open pathways to that humanising project of the Father he called “the kingdom of God.”
Pope Francis declared that “to heal wounds” is an urgent task: “I see clearly that what the Church needs today is to be able to cure wounds and bring warmth and closeness to the hearts of people… This is the most important thing: “to heal wounds, to heal wounds…” He then goes on to say we should “care for people accompanying them like the good Samaritan who washes, cleans and consoles.” He speaks also of “accompanying” people through the darkness of their nights, to learn to dialogue and even to descend into their nights and darkness without oneself getting lost.”
When Jesus entrusted his mission to his disciples, he did not think of them as doctors, hierarchy, liturgists or theologians, but as healers. Their task will be twofold: to announce that the Kingdom of God is near and to heal the sick.
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To heal wounds is the mission Jesus entrusts to us
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