Excerpts from a homily given at the celebration of the sacrament of the sick in Lourdes on the feast of Mary Magdalen, 22nd July 2019
‘Come to me all you who labour and are overburdened and I will give you rest, shoulder my yoke and learn from me for I am gentle and humble of heart.’
These well-known words echo in our hearts and offer the promise of forgiveness, healing, and strength.
Shoulder my yoke - these words present the image of ploughing with oxen; the yoke across the shoulders of the two oxen means that a much heavier load can be carried and that the stronger ox helps the weaker to do the work. Christ offers each of us his yoke which he extends to each one of us; he is stronger which means that he, the stronger, is there to help me, and you, the weaker to carry the load, to bear the cross. Christ is close to those of you who are sick and carries your burden with you and for you; his strength gives you the help to endure. When you stay close to him, he, the stronger, helps you to carry the load and bear your cross. Here in this holy place, we help each other to bear the cross and carry the yoke together.
We can sing, ‘be still for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One is here’.
The celebration of the sacrament of the sick allows him to touch you and heal you, to strengthen and support you.
In Capernaum, the people came to Jesus bringing the sick and the weak. They came to have to their sins forgiven, their sickness healed and went to great lengths to allow Jesus to touch them; even to the effort of taking off the roof and lowering the man down on a stretcher bed. Many of you have made great sacrifices to to be here today, travelling to this holy place, the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. Christ recognised your desire.
Through the Church, Jesus’ ministry to those who are sick, who are frail and vulnerable, continues, the ‘little ones’, the ‘poor’ who are the blessed and beloved of the Lord Blessed are the poor for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
This focus of care and importance in Lourdes contrasts with the world where efficiency and technological opportunity dominate. Here relationships are central and matter most of all. This love witnesses to Christ as he shares the yoke with others in his Body.
Like a mother who cares for a sick child, the Church reaches out with the tenderness of love for the weakest and those who are sick. The weakest are the most important.
The power of the lord and his Holy Spirit are in this place. We pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit.