Have you ever wondered why many people today don’t listen to Christians who want to share with them the Good News? They refuse to listen to our priests, pastors, and teachers. They ignore other lay people who want to lead them to the faith.
Why is it that despite all our refined arguments and explanations, we still fail to convince people about God?
I got a clue when I watched a video clip of Jesus healing a leper. In the said video, even the disciples were afraid to approach the sick man. Only Jesus drew near, and as He did, He also healed the man from leprosy.
What does it mean for someone to be healed from leprosy?
To be healed from such a disease is to be freed from a miserable life where one suffers not only from physical sickness but also from being cast away from society. It is being looked down upon, regarded as someone dirty, avoided, and kept away from human touch and compassion.
When Jesus drew near, He broke the first barrier that alienated the leper from another human being. When Jesus healed him, his whole being was cleansed. It changed his very life!
To change one’s life. That’s what Jesus has done for so many people. The question now for us all is this: “Are we able to do the same?”
What would happen if we could change a person’s life from sickness to wholeness, from desperation to hope, and from loneliness to belonging?
People do not believe because we do not give as Jesus gives
Instead of mercy and forgiveness, we focus on someone’s guilt and shame. Instead of drawing near, we cast sinners aside. And then we feel good about ourselves just like the Pharisees then, thanking God we’re not like other sinful men.
We fail to heal because we have so little faith. We fail to save because we have so little love.
There is so much hatred today for evil, but so little love for what is good
And what is good?
We can start by looking beyond a person’s many sins to see the human being made in the image and likeness of God.
How could people listen unless we let them know that they are loved?
Here is Jesus who is not afraid of your sins. Here is Jesus who sees beyond all the darkness that covers your heart.
Perhaps such a testimony to God’s Infinite Mercy can reach the very depths of one’s soul, and in reaching it, create a change that is nothing short of a miracle.
We may not heal like Jesus did, but we can pray for the grace to touch another person’s heart
We have grown to hate too much. Now let us start to love.
“He treated sinners with a kindness and affection that caused some to be shocked, others to be scandalized and still others to hope for God’s mercy. And so he bade us to be gentle and humble of heart… There must be no hostility in our minds, no contempt in our eyes, no insult on our lips. We must use mercy for the present and have hope for the future… In serious matters it is better to beg God humbly than to send forth a flood of words that will only offend the listeners and have no effect on those who are guilty.” – St. John Bosco
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.” – Matthew 11:28-29 (NABRE)
Jocelyn Soriano is the author of Mend My Broken Heart, Defending My Catholic Faith and 366 Days of Compassion. She also writes about relationships, faith and writing at Single Catholic Writer.
See Jocelyn’s books from other digital stores.
You may also want to read “Can You Hold a Sinner’s Sorrow in Your Heart?”
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