Feb. 8, 2015: 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time B

Click to hear Audio Homily
Are you familiar with the game show, Family Feud? [The show features a competition in which two families must name the most popular responses to a survey question posed to 100 people in order to win cash and prizes.] On one show, the following question was asked,
“Name An Occupation That People Consider Caring.” What’s your guess? (Answers at the bottom) The basic meaning of care is: to grieve, to experience sorrow, to cry out with.

A couple of nights ago, I invited a couple preparing for their wedding into this church to practice the wedding vows. As we entered, they saw tables full of baby photos and toys that had been set up for the funeral for the 19-month old boy. The bride-to-be knew the parents of the boy and she began to cry. She was grieving with the parents of the little boy. She cared. And that’s what happened at the funeral of that little boy--hundreds of friends and acquaintance of the family streamed through the church to grieve and to cry with the family.

Jesus shows us how to be caring in today’s Gospel. Jesus did not insulate himself from those who were suffering. At the sight of Peter’s mother-in-law who was ill and at the sight of all who were suffering, Jesus grieved at their plight, and he healed them.

Suffering is an inescapable mystery of life. We may think that the road of suffering is narrow and dark, but it’s a great comfort to us to know that Jesus went down this road, and went down it to the end. Because Jesus travelled the road, it is no longer the same -- now, a bright light illuminates it. Our relationship with Christ will deepen as we take comfort in his suffering and share with him our own.
We should not avoid the suffering of others, for the suffering of others can be an opportunity for us to be Christ to others. Caring is about forming a relationship with another, often simply by our listening and by our presence. We may seldom be able to cure them or fix their problem, but it’s always within our power to care. Caring is a very healing experience for both the giver and the receiver.

Is there another way for us to be an instrument of caring and healing? Jesus told St. Faustina regarding sick and the dying, "By your entreaties [i.e. insistent prayers] obtain for them trust in My mercy, because they have most need of trust, and have it the least." Beginning this Tuesday evening, we have the opportunity to be instruments of healing by participating in the 9-week Novena of the Divine Mercy. The mass will be at 6PM followed by the singing of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Please invite your family and friends to join us for this time of prayer.

(Answers: 1. Nurse 2. Doctor 3. Teacher 4. Childcare Provider)