242 "IN MY NAME THEY WILL LAY THEIR HANDS ON THE SICK, AND THEY WILL RECOVER"

YOUCAT Lesson 242

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

242  Why should the Church take special care of the sick?

Jesus shows us: Heaven suffers with us when we suffer.  God even wants to be rediscovered in “the least of these my brethren” (Matthew 25:40).  That is why Jesus designated care of the sick as a central task for his disciples.  He commands them, “Heal the sick” (Matthew 10:8), and he promises them divine authority: “In my name they will cast out demons;…they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:17-18).  [1506-1510]

Art: …..Jesus healing the mother-in-law of Peter at Capernaum. …..242

One of the distinctive characteristics of Christianity has always been that the elderly, the sick, and the needy are central to it.  Mother Teresa, who cared for those who were dying in the gutters of Calcutta, is only one in a long series of Christian women and men who have discovered Christ precisely in those who were marginalized and avoided by others.  When Christians are really Christian, a healing influence goes out from them.  Some even have the gift of healing others physically in the power of the Holy Spirit (the charism of healing).

“I would prefer even the worst possible Christian world to the best pagan world, because in a Christian world there is room for those for whom no pagan world ever made room: cripples and sick people, the old and the weak.  And there was more than room for them; there was love for those who seemed and seem useless to the pagan and the godless world.”  Heinrich Boll (1917-1985, German writer)

“Care for the sick must have priority over everything else: They should be served as though they were really Christ.”  St. Benedict of Nursia (ca. 480-547)

"Heal the sick . . ."

…….1506   Christ invites his disciples to follow him by taking up their cross in their turn..(Compare Matthew 10:38.)¹¹⁴    By following him they acquire a new outlook on illness and the sick. Jesus associates them with his own life of poverty and service. He makes them share in his ministry of compassion and healing: "So they went out and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them.".(Mark 6:12-13.)¹¹⁵ –Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

…….1507   The risen Lord renews this mission ("In my name . . . they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.")(Mark 16:17-18.)¹¹⁶   and confirms it through the signs that the Church performs by invoking his name.(Compare Acts of the Apostles 9:34; Acts 14:3.)¹¹⁷    These signs demonstrate in a special way that Jesus is truly "God who saves."(Compare Matthew 1:21; Acts of the Apostles 4:12.)¹¹⁸ –CCC

……1508   The Holy Spirit gives to some a special charism of healing(Compare 1 Corinthians 12:9,28,30.)¹¹⁹   so as to make manifest the power of the grace of the risen Lord. But even the most intense prayers do not always obtain the healing of all illnesses. Thus St. Paul must learn from the Lord that "my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness," and that the sufferings to be endured can mean that "in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his Body, that is, the Church."(2 Corinthians 12:9; Colossians 1:24.)¹²⁰ –CCC

…….1509   "Heal the sick!"(Matthew 10:8.)¹²¹    The Church has received this charge from the Lord and strives to carry it out by taking care of the sick as well as by accompanying them with her prayer of intercession. She 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.(Compare John 6:54, 58; 1 Corinthians 11:30.)¹²² –CCC

…….1510   However, the apostolic Church has its own rite for the sick, attested to by St. James: "Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders [presbyters] of the Church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven."(James 5:14-15.)¹²³    Tradition has recognized in this rite one of the seven sacraments.(Compare Council of Constantinople II (553) Denzinger-Schönmetzer 216; Council Of Florence (1439) 1324- 1325; Council Of Trent (1551) 1695-1696; 1716-1717.)¹²⁴ --CCC