He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3
This time of winter is always a little “low” for me. Can you relate? The weather is often cold and dreary, although we’ve had some really nice days lately. Illnesses, stress, and grief seem to weigh on our hearts a little harder in February. It leaves me wondering what happened to all that Christmas joy from just a few weeks ago?
It seems to me that the Church, in her wisdom, recognizes that the human heart needs a way to express all the emotions that it holds at various times. There’s a time for all things: “a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance” (Ecclesiastes 3:4). At Christmas the liturgies are merry and full of joyful readings. During Lent we express our contrition for our sins. Throughout the fifty days of Easter the readings are full of energy, hope, and rejoicing. There are also times, like the next couple of weeks, where the Church focuses on our low points.
Read the first reading from this Sunday from Job (7:1-7) for a great example of someone who is in despair. He laments about the toil and drudgery of life; even sleep is not refreshing. He doubts that he will ever feel joyful again: “I shall not see happiness again” (Job 7:7). Pretty depressing, Job. But the truth is that most of us have felt deep sadness like this from time to time. In a way, we can be thankful that our Church gives us the space we need to process these emotions and find our way out of them with Christ to heal and guide us.
Our Gospel readings have been focusing on the times when Jesus healed people who were sick in various ways. Some souls were sickly and oppressed by demons. Some had chronic physical illnesses that kept them from communities. Some were crushed in spirit and heart-sick along with their physical ailments. But Jesus had a saving touch for all the unclean, sick, and hurting people who were open to receiving His healing. In Sunday’s reading (Mark 1:29-39), Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law who was sick with a fever. He healed so many from their illnesses and demons that people did not cease to seek Him out: “When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door” (Mark 1:32-33).
This speaks to me about what I should do when people who I love are experiencing pain, grief, and despair: I should bring them to Jesus in prayer. Also, when I am suffering, I can bring myself to Jesus, reach my hand out to His robe, and have great faith in Him to heal my brokenness (see Mark 5:25-34).
Jesus, You are the source of all healing and comfort. Help me to suffer well by accepting all that comes to me and bearing it with Your strength.