…he spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes, and said to him, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed, and came back able to see. – John 9:6-7
This Laetare Sunday we rejoice that Easter is quickly approaching. We also rejoice in the fact that Jesus can heal our wounds if we allow Him to, just as He healed the man born blind in John 9:1-41. I am struck by the sacramental way that Jesus brings about this man’s healing. He used clay from the earth; saliva from His own body; the touch of His strong, gentle hands; and words formed by His holy mind, breath, and lips. Then He sent the man to wash in water from a pool. Jesus combined everyday things from earth (clay and water) with His holy presence (saliva, words, touch) to communicate His grace and return the man to wholeness, community, and abundant life (John 10:10).
This is precisely how the sacraments work! Jesus infuses and transforms everyday things like bread, wine, water, and oil with His very presence through the power of the Holy Spirit in order to communicate healing, wholeness, and holiness to us. It is in this way that Jesus is the Divine Physician: “Jesus has the power not only to heal, but also to forgive sins; he has come to heal the whole man, soul and body; he is the physician the sick have need of” (CCC 1503).
The Church “believes in the life-giving presence of Christ, the physician of souls and bodies. This presence is particularly active through the sacraments, and in an altogether special way through the Eucharist, the bread that gives eternal life and that St. Paul suggests is connected with bodily health (cf John 6:54, 58; 1 Corinthians 11:30)” (CCC 1509).
The sacraments have the power to heal our bodies, minds, and spirits when we approach them worthily in a state of grace, through faith, and with open hearts that are willing to be transformed. Dr. Bob Schuchts, the founder of the John Paul II Healing Center and author of several Catholic books on healing wrote, “the sacraments are capable of healing the deepest roots of our brokenness, delivering us from the wounds of sin and bringing us back into intimate communion with the Trinity” (Be Transformed). For more on this topic, I suggest any of Dr. Schuchts several books on healing.
Considering Jesus as the Divine Physician and His sacraments as powerful ways to encounter His healing touch makes me grateful for the healing that Christ has given to me over the years. In some cases sacramental healing paired with deep prayer took some time, many years. In other cases He healed me of even old wounds very quickly once I was ready to receive His healing.
This week, consider what is in you that is broken that you would like Jesus to heal. None of us are completely whole or holy. Ask Jesus what He would like to heal in you so you can receive more of His abundant life and love.
Jesus, Physician of my soul, please reveal how You wish to heal me so that I may draw closer to You. I believe that You can heal me–make me clean and whole (cf Matthew 8:2). Help me approach Your sacraments with unshakable faith in their power.