Tuesday, 23 December 2014

20140708 SKEPTICISM IN JESUS’ DELIVERANCE AND HEALING MINISTRY

20140708 SKEPTICISM IN JESUS’ DELIVERANCE AND HEALING MINISTRY 
Reading 1, Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13

4 They have set up kings, but without my consent, and appointed princes, but without my knowledge. With their silver and gold, they have made themselves idols, but only to be destroyed.
5 I spurn your calf, Samaria! My anger blazes against them! How long will it be before they recover their innocence?
6 For it is the product of Israel- a craftsman made the thing, it is no god at all! The calf of Samaria will be broken to pieces!
7 Since they sow the wind, they will reap the whirlwind; stalk without ear, it will never yield flour- or if it does, foreigners will swallow it.
11 Ephraim keeps building altars for his sins, these very altars are themselves a sin.
12 However much of my Law I write for him, Ephraim regards it as alien to him.
13 They offer sacrifices to me and eat the meat, they do not win Yahweh's favour. On the contrary, he will remember their guilt and punish their sins; they will have to go back to Egypt.


Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 115:3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10

3 Our God is in heaven, he creates whatever he chooses.
4 They have idols of silver and gold, made by human hands.
5 These have mouths but say nothing, have eyes but see nothing,
6 have ears but hear nothing, have noses but smell nothing.
7 They have hands but cannot feel, have feet but cannot walk, no sound comes from their throats.
8 Their makers will end up like them, and all who rely on them.
9 House of Israel, rely on Yahweh; he is their help and their shield.
10 House of Aaron, rely on Yahweh; he is their help and their shield.


Gospel, Matthew 9:32-38

32 They had only just left when suddenly a man was brought to him, a dumb demoniac.
33 And when the devil was driven out, the dumb man spoke and the people were amazed and said, 'Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.'
34 But the Pharisees said, 'It is through the prince of devils that he drives out devils.'
35 Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing all kinds of disease and all kinds of illness.
36 And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.
37 Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers to his harvest.'
Scripture Reflection

SKEPTICISM IN JESUS’ DELIVERANCE AND HEALING MINISTRY 
SCRIPTURE READINGS: HOSEA 8:4-7; 11-13; MT 9:32-38
http://www.universalis.com/20140708/mass.htm
What struck me in today’s gospel is the reaction of the people and the Jewish leaders with respect to the deliverance and the healing of the possessed mute man.  We read that “when the devil was cast out, the dumb man spoke and the people were amazed.  ‘Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel’ they said.”

Why were they surprised?  Was it because the dumb man spoke?  Was it because what was thought to be primarily a physical ailment turned out to be a demonic cause?  Or were they surprised that Jesus could heal at all?  Well, it appears that way, at least for the Pharisees, for they concluded “It is through the prince of devils that he casts out devils.”   Whatever the reasons, they were astonished at the deliverance and healing of the dumb demoniac.

But their reaction is not much different from that of our world today.  If we were told that someone who is mute or physically ill is under some form of demonic influence, people will laugh at us.  They will think that we are still living in a mythological age, or that we are naïve or even superstitious.  Very few so called intelligent people today would link physical ailments with demonic influence.   Besides, how many would admit that the sins of our parents and ancestors have an effect on us today, spiritually, psychologically and emotionally?  For the modern man, the cause of every illness is psychological, emotional or physical, i.e. medical problems which are treatable through surgery, medication or counseling.   Of course we are not suggesting that all illnesses are caused by sin or the evil one.  In most cases, they are the result of our creatureliness and human weaknesses.

Secondly, even if something miraculous truly happened, we would not say that it is the work of Jesus.  Of course, we would not say that “it is through the prince of devils that he casts out devils” as well, but we would attribute such healings to auto suggestion or coincidence or unexplainable causes.  This cynicism prevails even among so called believers of Christ.  They often speak of such healing and deliverance from the evil spirits as something of the past and would not happen in today’s context. For unbelievers, all healings are due to some fluke in nature.  Our contemporaries no longer believe in the power of sin or the devil’s control over our bodies and minds.

When we think in this manner, aren’t we just like the King and the people of Samaria? Prophet Hosea condemned them for trusting in themselves rather than God.  Yes, they did things without consent and approval from the Lord.  Instead of being obedient to His Word, they chose to do their own thing.  Their worship of God was mere external worship and did them no good because they continued to live worldly and sinful lives.  Praising God but living a life contrary to the commandments of God is a mockery of God and His laws.
Furthermore when the people of Samaria, the Northern kingdom made their own golden calf, they misled the people in worshipping the true God.  They had no trust in God.

What are the modern calves today, if not science and technology?  Many think that these alone can cure every disease and heal every illness in the world.   Of course the advancements made by science and technology are good, but they are not the ultimate answer to the world’s ills and malaise.  They can cause more harm if not harnessed properly, or when put to selfish and evil use.  Most of all, such technological progress make us arrogant and proud, thinking that we are in charge of the world.  There is a growing tendency for us to supplant the place of God in the world.

Against such an understanding, the gospel underscores the ministry of Jesus as one of preaching, deliverance and healing.  Such works of wonder are signs that God is the Ultimate One who reigns in the world; not evil spirits, not man!  Yes, we read that “Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness.” What is emphasized in St Matthew’s account is that He healed ALL kinds of infirmities. Nothing is impossible for Jesus because He is Lord and God.

Jesus comes to reveal to us a God that has a heart that feels with and for us.  He is the Good Shepherd, one with a tender and compassionate heart.  This is illustrated in Jesus’ reaction to the crowds who followed Him, “he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.”  So our God is a God of compassion.  He comes to heal us and deliver us from the evil one; otherwise, He would not be truly our God if He were no better than the idols that people worship.

It is also significant that the preaching and healing ministry of Jesus are given much emphasis.  Although these two aspects are central to Jesus’ ministry and each is distinct, both are inseparable.  Preaching is necessary to enlighten the ignorant sinner and to bring him to conversion because of his sins.  More often than not, sin causes us misery and bondage.  At times, it is the effects of the sins of our loved ones and society that have a hold over us.  Truly, as the prophet warns us, “They sow the wind, they reap the whirlwind.”  Sinful attitudes lead to sinful actions and eventually become sinful habits that take control of our lives.

Preaching is also essential in the ministry of healing as it inspires faith in the love, mercy and power of God. The Word of God, when preached and heard with humility and attentiveness, brings healing and conversion, since it challenges, consoles and edifies us. Hearing the Word with faith is itself the beginning of the healing process.

But preaching must be concretized in tangible healing as well.  This divine healing can take place directly and immediately, or indirectly and mediated.  It can be a miracle worked directly through prayer, or through the assistance of doctors and friends.  Miracles of healing extend beyond physical healing to emotional and spiritual healing, especially in reconciliation, forgiveness, or though an act of kindness. What is necessary is that we must surrender our lives to the Lord.  Following the psalmist, our response to the call of God must be “The house of Israel trusts in the Lord.”  If we are truly believers, we must trust Him and surrender our lives to Him.

We must also pray for more shepherds as well, priests, religious and lay workers.  Jesus urged us to pray for, “The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.”  Many people in the world are thoroughly confused and disoriented in their lives.  Many need healing in its different dimensions; spiritual, physical, emotional and psychological.  And so we need many labourers in the vineyard and shepherds to continue the healing ministry of Jesus and preaching as well.

But we must pray for the right leaders or else there will be more trouble, as happened during the time of the Northern Kingdom when they “set up kings, but not with my consent, and appointed princes, but without my knowledge.”  Choosing the wrong leaders without God’s approval, who do not meet God’s criteria, will cause greater harm to all.  As leaders are God’s Anointed and His representatives, we must pray to the Lord to send shepherds after His own heart.

What about you?  Have you thought of becoming a priest, a missionary, a religious or a full time worker in the Church?  Perhaps the Lord is calling you and waiting for you to say, “Here I am, Lord!”  Be numbered among those who respond to Christ’s call to minister to His sheep who are harassed, dejected and lost.  Be the Good News for others.  
WRITTEN BY THE MOST REV WILLIAM GOH

ARCHBISHOP OF SINGAPORE
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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