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| Murillo's Christ Healing the Paralytic |
In Sunday’s Gospel according to Mark, Jesus makes a house call and cures Peter’s mother-in-law. Townspeople suddenly appear with their sick loved ones. And Jesus continues to work signs and wonders, healings and exorcisms that signal the in-breaking of the kingdom of God. What so called demon or addiction or character flaw (e.g., greed, lying, prejudice or hate) would we ask Jesus to help drive out of us?
I believe Jesus not only cured the bodies of these sick people, but he also healed their souls. An illness can trigger questions about the meaning of life, what truly matters, what I should stop doing and begin doing. Sometimes, there can be a healing of the soul without a cure of the body. Such healings transform our attitudes and behaviors and reconnect us to God and one another in new ways.
The point I want to make is this: God through Jesus by the power of the Spirit has transformed us into new creatures through the waters of baptism. St. Paul captured this magnificently: “Christ lives in me.” And this same Christ sends us out among others to live in a manner worthy of our calling, to treat all God’s creatures with respect—especially human beings, made in the image and likeness of God.
Now what precisely does “sent out to others” mean? Every one of us has gifts or talents that can help other people become their better selves. Athletes like Tom Brady and Nick Foles, or actors like Meryl Streep and Gary Oldman, are not the only people with talents. You and I have special gifts and talents, especially by virtue of our baptism. We possess the power to believe in a God who loves us unconditionally, to hope in a future beyond death, and to love one another. And within our common life, there are many splendid callings.
Let us rejoice in our God-given gifts, as the Virgin Mary rejoiced in hers. And use our gifts and talents in service to others. The purpose of our baptismal calling is to matter, to make a difference for the better by giving the best we have! God can shine through us with transcendent brilliance through who we are and what we do. Businessperson, white-collar or blue-collar, married or single, whoever we are, we are called to be an example of integrity, compassion and generosity to others, so that they can become, with God's grace, their better selves.
Yes, always look for the good in ourselves, in others, and in the situations in life. And then we will truly, with God’s grace, realize our authentic potential as sons and daughters of God our Father, co-heirs to eternal life..
