Encountering God and World in Scriptures

Fr Martin Kallunkal

Reading 
“Treat the doctor with the honour that is his due, in consideration of his services; for he too has been created by the Lord.Healing itself comes from the Most High, like a gift received from a king.The doctor’s learning keeps his head high, and the great regard him with awe.The Lord has brought forth medicinal herbs from the ground, and no one sensible will despise them.Did not a piece of wood once sweeten the water, thus giving proof of its power?He has also given some people knowledge, so that they may draw credit from his mighty works.He uses these for healing and relieving pain; the druggist makes up a mixture from them.Thus, there is no end to his activities; thanks to him, well-being exists throughout the world.My child, when you are ill, do not rebel, but pray to the Lord and he will heal you.Renounce your faults, keep your hands unsoiled, and cleanse your heart from all sin” (Sir. 38:1-10).

Reflection
In the passage we have read, the focus is on the need to work closely with physicians and various remedies available to us when we fall sick. No one should spurn health-workers and, thus, endanger one’s well-being. The Bible gives an exalted status to physicians. This is understandable to everyone because everyone knows that there are times when the cure of life-threatening illnesses depends on physicians. In addition, the Bible asks us to receive medicines with gratefulness because the creator God has given healing properties to the source materials of all drugs we happened to have discovered so far. Health workers and medicines are closely related to God who is actually the life-giver and healer of all humans. Nevertheless, it is important to note that there has been some ambiguity towards physicians and medicines in the Scriptures from the time of ancient Israelites. This ambiguity sadly persists in our times too. Some Christians wrongly see God’s wrath behind every illness. Some others hold an equally wrong view that one has to be healed directly by God. Such commonplace approach to illness and physicians comes from a widespread popular notion that sin and sickness go hand in hand. This is not always true. All sinners are prone to one or another sickness; but not all those who are sick are sinners. There is, of course, no doubt that sin does bring about disorder at one or more levels of our being. Sin affects our spirit, mind, and body, both in their relationship with ourselves as well as others. All the same, innocent people may also get sick. In this connection, we need to know that God allows this strange course of event as part of a providential spiritual discipline either for the benefit of the person whom God allows to fall ill or for the spiritual benefit of others. In any case, illness is not final; healing and well being is what God wills for humans. God does not take pleasure in our illness. Therefore, when we fall sick, we have to take medicines as directed by physicians,on the one hand, and both the patients and physicians have to pray, on the other hand. Physicians need to pray for the wisdom to diagnose the disease correctly and prescribe the most effective remedy promptly. Patients must also pray for wisdom and healing. If the patient finds that he/she has committed some sins, let him/her ask the Lord for the gift of true repentance and the courage to correct the wrong ways. If the patient discerns that, he/she has fallen ill because God allowed it for a greater good, let him/her ask the Lord for the gift of perseverance and eventual healing as and when God wills it.

Prayer 
God, our dear Father, I thank You for Your gracious plan for the wellbeing of all humans. You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to heal the sick. Jesus healed everyone who came to him. Some of them were sick because of their sins; some others were tormented by devil; and there were some others who fell ill so that the works of God might be displayed in them.Yet, Jesus healed everyone! Father, Your loved ones are sick. Forgive our sins, cast out all demons from us, and end the period of painful chastising. Extend Your healing hands through the healthcare systems we have all around the world and bring about wellbeing in the lives of Your children.

Contemplation 
The moment of illness is an opportunity  to stand still and silent before oneself and God. It is a pivotal junction when one stands alone to decide on a shift in direction. It is a unique moment when one becomes aware that one is related to many, and that relationship matters.

Action 
Pray for the sick as well as the doctors and others who treat  them. In the same way, pray for the researchers and scientists who are striving to discover medicines for deadly diseases.