At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hands on each of them and cured them. And demons also came out from many, shouting, “You are the Son of God.”
But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ.
Unlike birds and animal species on the Earth, the human being survives because we take care of each other. When other creatures get sick or suffer injury, their companions might watch but there is little they can do. We care for each other from cradle to grave, often forestalling death for many years.
The Son of God, the Christ, born among us, readily joins us in that necessary, charitable work. In today’s gospel we hear of crowds of people bringing their sick to him and his curing them. He cannot stand above them in judgement of their pathetic condition or their foolish life styles. He does not lecture them on how they shouldn’t have gotten sick in the first place. If he demonstrates his superiority, it’s by his laying healing hands on “each of them,” the filthy, infected, and contagious.
Today’s gospel emphasizes his identity as “the Son of God” and the “Christ.” The latter is a Greek word for the Hebrew Messiah, which means anointed by the Holy Spirit in both languages. The scriptures and our tradition insist that his anointing is threefold; he is priest, prophet, and king. And he is also sent on mission to heal. When we see the Lord healing people we see the compassionate Spirit of God.
The Evangelist underlines this healing mission of Jesus by describing the controversy around his identity as the Son of God. He will not permit spirits of sickness, paralysis, and madness to announce his presence. Only those who welcome his compassionate authority can know that title or its significance. If demons recognize “Christ,” it is only as their enemy, as the one before whom they must kneel.
Throughout all four gospels mystery hovers over this strange man. Who is he? Where does he come from? Why is he doing this? What does he intend? Does he see where this is going?
When the demons are silenced and the people wonder who he is -- John the Baptist among them -- his answer is straightforward,
"Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them."
With the LORD who spoke to Moses, Jesus might say, "I have witnessed the affliction of my people... and have heard their cry... so I know well what they are suffering. Therefore I have come down to rescue them..."
Even as we tell the story we are astonished at how far the Lord would come down; our astonishment reflects that of the demons who protest against this divine incursion. They were convinced, as are many people today, that the entire world is enthralled of evil. (Satan offered everything to Jesus if he would worship him!) And yet they cannot imagine how much further he will descend to rescue, heal, and save us. Even to passion, death, and burial.
We pray daily to be found worthy, as the Collect suggests, to receive healing, guidance, courage, and an overflowing amount of grace from that fount of heavenly gifts.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.