The Sunday Sermon Archive

Dear Friends in Christ,

Our Lord forgave the paralytic because of the faith of the paralytic's friends. The paralytic was spiritually blinded because of his physical disease. This blindness caused him to desire a physical cure rather than a spiritual one. Our Lord overlooked this desire of the paralytic and gave him something of much greater value than the cure of his body — the cure of his soul.

In our illnesses, we are typically not the best judges of what we truly need. Very often, during our illnesses, we desire things that will only aggravate our ailment. We must rely upon the clearer observations of an unbiased physician. The Divine Physician disregarded the desires of the paralytic but heeded the desires of his healthy friends. His friends came with faith in Jesus. In their faith, they cared more for the paralytic's soul than for his body. They sought from Jesus the cure of the paralytic's soul, while the paralytic desired the cure of his body.

Our Lord eventually answered both desires, but we must observe the order in which they occurred. All too often, we look for a physical cure before we consider a spiritual one. Many times, however, we cannot obtain the cure of our bodies until our souls are first cured. Since our illness prevents us from observing the situation correctly, we are truly dependent upon the faith of those around us. Often, however, those around us are lacking in faith or are likewise blinded by their own infirmities.

As a general principle, we should, in every illness, first seek the health of our souls. It is to God that we should first turn our thoughts rather than to the material remedies of the doctors of our bodies. Rather than treating symptoms, we must find the true cause of our disorder and correct that first. Our difficulties may not always have a spiritual cause, but very often they do. We should, therefore, in every illness, begin with the examination of our consciences. We should try first to put our souls in order. When our souls are in right order, then our bodies will often follow suit. When our souls are healed, our bodies naturally return to health as well; otherwise, the natural remedies used will be unable to work their cure. This is not just an instance of placebo effect, or the power of suggestion. The body is truly restored after the soul is. This makes perfect sense when we understand that the soul is the body's life principle. If the very life principle of the body is ill, it only makes sense that the entire body is ill.

Sometimes, however, illness is sent by God for His greater honor and glory. In the Scriptures, we are told of a man who was born blind, not because of his sins, or the sins of his parents, but so that Jesus could work a miracle and God would be glorified. (St. John 9:2) We must, therefore, not jump to conclusions as the disciples did in this instance, and presume that every evil that befalls us is because of personal sin.

We also have many examples of victim souls that God has chosen to make reparation for the offenses committed against Him. Infirmities are gifts from God, for which we should be grateful. God chastises those whom He loves. (Hebrews 12:6) If we have sinned, then it is a wake-up call for us to repent and return to God's grace in Penance. Suffering also allows us to draw closer to Christ upon the cross. We are given, through sickness, the opportunity to unite ourselves to Him more intimately; not only in suffering, but more importantly in love.

In sickness, as well as in all our trials and tribulations, we must remind ourselves that all things work for the good of those who love God. (Romans 8:28) If our souls are in sin, these physical pains are a precious gift from our loving Father in Heaven to return us to the path of virtue. They also provide us with a way to expiate the punishment due to our sins, as well as a curative effect, inspiring us never to return to the sin that has caused us such misery. For those who are afflicted without having offended God, as Job was, we see that the suffering provides us with many wonderful opportunities to practice the virtues, especially patience and charity. It makes us ever more appreciative of the many good things we received from God. Perhaps most importantly, the sufferings of the just allow them to follow Christ ever more intimately as they unite their sufferings with His upon the Cross.

May we never accuse God of injustice or unfairness in sending us, or allowing us, to receive suffering, but always humbly welcome it in all humility and patience for the love of God. Too often, we complain against God without really understanding how good God is to us, even in this suffering. Let us, rather, thank Him and praise Him. We should, likewise, be grateful for the many prayers of others on our behalf. The healing of our souls is more often the gift merited by these people, rather than our own efforts. Lastly, let us never forget to pray for others in all humility and faith, so that, by our faith, they may perhaps hear the consoling words of Christ (through Christ's minister): "Thy sins are forgiven thee."

May the Immaculate Heart of Mary inspire, guide, and protect us.

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