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.
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
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.
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
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.'
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
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 GOHARCHBISHOP OF SINGAPORE © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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