It is never a comfortable experience visiting someone who is very ill. We aren’t sure what to do or say. We worry that we might say the wrong thing.
Rabbi Harold Kushner writes: “At some of the darkest moments of my life, some people I thought of as friends deserted me – some because they cared about me and it hurt them to see me in pain; others because I reminded them of their own vulnerability, and that was more than they could handle. But real friends overcame their discomfort and came to sit with me. It they had no words to make me feel better, they sat in silence (much better than saying You’ll get over it or It’s not that bad; others have it worse) and I loved them for it.”
On Tuesday we reflected on Jesus curing the man who had been ill for some 30 years. Perhaps the real miracle is not so much that Jesus healed the man, but that Jesus saw the man. The man begged Jesus to put him in the pool. Jesus responded by curing the man.
How sad the people who passed by this man every day who could or would not see him or acknowledge him. Why? Perhaps because they found it difficult to witness his sickness. How many people must have all but tripped over him on their way.
In today’s Gospel Jesus is speaking to the Jews and admonishing them because He has been in their midst and yet they have, in a sense, not seen Him. They have not understood who He is and have found it difficult to accept His message.
Jesus’ words “Moreover the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf. But you have never heard his voice nor seen his form, and you do not have his words remaining in you because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent.”
The challenge to us today, do we recognize Jesus’ presence among us, or do we miss those who are struggling to reach the waters of healing, of mercy and forgiveness, of affirmation, of compassion? Do we perhaps avoid suffering because it is uncomfortable to be in the presence of suffering or need?
Every day we walk by those in need of healing. They may be our children, our friends, our family members, our coworkers, our neighbors, or our fellow parishioners.
May our prayer be, “Lord help us to recognize Your presence in our midst, do not let us ignore or walk around those in need. Help us to bring to others the waters of your grace and healing.”
In today’s Old Testament reading, Moses articulates all that God has done for the people of Israel. May we be reminded of all that God has done for us and humanity, and knowing that may we recognize the presence and love of God in others.