Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.”
Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked.
One of the most spiritually moving experiences in my life was my pilgrimage to the famous Marian shrine of Lourdes in Southern France. Thanks to the incredible ministry of the Order of Malta, each year they bring those from around the world who seek healing and strength as they face serious illness, to this shrine made famous over the years for miraculous healings. On my return, a parishioner, said to me, “Monsignor, we’re so sorry.” I asked somewhat naively, “Sorry for what?” To which they responded, “You didn’t get your miraculous healing in Lourdes!”
Such a response betrayed a complete misunderstanding of ‘the healings’ of this place of grace and blessings. While physical healings can indeed be an unexpected gift from the God from whom all blessings flow, more often than not, the healings of places like Lourdes are the healing of hearts and minds. There is an incredible blessing that comes from knowing that one never suffers illness or disability alone. As members of the Body of Christ, we are in spiritual solidarity with one another in our journey of faith.
Jesus understood this well and today’s Gospel of the crippled man healed at the pool of Siloam stands as a beautiful and powerful symbol of all those who are broken in body, mind and spirit who are always in the heart of our loving God.