Homily: Our Lady of Lourdes
Our Lady of Lourdes (Mk. 7:31-37) “Healing the Whole Person”
On February 11, 1858, Bernadette Soubirous, a young peasant girl, said that Our Lady appeared to her outside of Lourdes, France. There were several apparitions. At one point Bernadette dug in the earth and a stream began to flow. Several people who washed in the stream were healed of physical maladies.
As a youngster, I remember watching the film, “Song of Bernadette. Jenifer Jones played Bernadette. Bernadette’s story is challenged by civil and religious authorities, but despite having little education this simple girl will not deny what she has seen. The simple piety and honesty of Bernadette is inspiring. She has no hidden agenda. All she does is share what she has experienced.
I am always struck by the fact that Vincent Price is in the movie and portrays a prosecutor named Vital Dutour who is skeptic. He contracts throat cancer and at the end of the movie goes to the grotto of Lourdes seeking a cure. The unbeliever becomes a believer. The film is uplifting.
Lourdes is a place where many physical cures have taken place. I am told that if one goes to the grotto, crutches line the walls. Thousands of people go to Lourdes every year. Many of those people do not receive the physical cure they seek, but we must remember that there are three aspects to being healthy. There is the physical aspect. We also need to have mental and spiritual health.
People are cured mentally and spiritually at Lourdes as well as physically. Seldom do sick people leave Lourdes disappointed. They seem to leave at peace with their fate. If a seriously ill person goes to Lourdes, they believe that they have tried everything the can to get well. Perhaps they also feel like they have made peace with God.
The deaf man who came to Jesus in the Gospel was healed. He not only could speak again and hear again, but his faith was strengthened. He was also restored to the community. He could communicate with others. He could receive and give affection to those whom he loved.
Reflection Questions:
- Have I known anybody who prayed for healing? What was the result of their prayer?
- Is attending to the spiritual an important part of healing? Have I ever received spiritual healing?
Dear Parishioners,
Tomorrow we will be celebrating World Marriage Sunday. This is always a wonderful observance in our parish. It looks like we will have about 25 couples that will be recognized for specific anniversaries. Any couple is welcome to come and renew marriage vows. It is good to have this affirmation of the vocation of marriage take place at our liturgies.
Sometimes young people question whether lifelong commitments are even possible. There are so many divorces and there are so many people who choose to live together without being married that we need to be reminded of the beauty of the vowed life.
Please pray for all those preparing for marriage as we honor married couples tomorrow.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark