ELIXIR OF LIFE | KAIROS GLOBAL | JUNE 2022

Author: Anil Israel

Intro: Anil Israel reflects upon healing, through Scripture. 

Three things in life whose value we realise when they are no longer near – health, wealth, and someone dear. The body is not-at-ease when faced with any disease. Every situation demanding intensive medical care makes us confront the reality that we are merely perishable mortals, one day destined to be food for worms. Every outbreak of catastrophe (natural or man-made) makes the conscience of mankind ponder over the harsh bitter truth – death is inevitable. It is humbling to be reminded, you are dust and to dust shall return (Genesis 3:19).

A soul drenched in desolation, ardently thirsts for few drops of consolation. Hope assures us: there is always light at the end of the tunnel. All worldly troubles will one day come to an end. Nothing’s going to forever stay. This also will pass away. As we journey through life, we learn to cling on to all that’s worth striving for – truth, beauty, and goodness. We willingly let go of all that’s not worth pursuing – futile and devoid of meaning. Amazingly, God himself is infinite goodness, unfading beauty, and eternal truth.

When we are broken, wounded, shattered or suicidal, only God can fix our fragile brokenness, heal our inner wounds, fill us with everlasting life and make us whole again. The Word of God affirms, I am the Lord, your healer (Exodus 15:26). He heals the broken-hearted (Psalm 147:3). 

Like the man waiting for thirty-eight years, Jesus asks us: Do you want to be healed? (John 5:6). Who would not? If we were to be asked today, What do you want me to do for you? (Mark 10:51), what would our reply be? Like the blind man in the Gospel, would we promptly respond, ‘I want to see?’ Or are we blind to our inner illness, pretend to be healthy and think we have no need for a physician (Mark 2:17)?

When four friends carried a paralysed man and brought him to Jesus through the roof of a house, Jesus first forgave the sins of the paralytic man (Mark 2:5) and then granted him physical healing. Spiritual healing precedes physical healing. Here it is important to note that it was not the faith of the paralytic man but the faith of his four friends that brought about the miracle. 

We need to ask ourselves, Where is my faith? (Luke 8:25). Do I have faith the size of a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20) to intercede for someone in need of a gift of prayer. ‘Through fasting and prayer, one can stop wars, one can suspend the laws of nature’ (Our Lady of Medjugorje). Am I praying and fasting for war to cease in the world – for a healing touch to aching mankind? I might not be a healthcare worker or a medical professional, but I can always put in my two mites (Mark 12:42) worth of prayer-support and offer my five barley loaves and two small fishes (John 6:9) share of fasting.

Forgiveness brings healing. When we go to confession, we let our souls be healed. The Lord’s Prayer teaches us that the precondition to receive forgiveness is first to extend forgiveness to others. Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us (Matthew 6:12). If you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Matthew 6:15). Jesus’s plea for forgiveness with his arms open wide on the cross continues to echo in our hearts: Father, forgive them for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34). The cross – a symbol of our faith – continues to constantly remind us, that like our Master we too are called to put forgiveness into action every day – every moment of our lives – to be a healing balm to the nations.

We can also give a helping hand like the Good Samaritan to the neighbour in desperate need. A smile is a curve that can set a lot of things straight. It takes more muscles to frown than to smile. It costs us nothing just to S-M-I-L-E. Smile can heal several secret scars. 

An old childhood song echoes the message most vehemently:

People over the world, reach out your hand, touch one another. 

People over the world, we are the same, just different colour.

We have one life to live, so much to give and so much to share.

There is love to be found, just turn around, there’s happiness there.

People over the world, love without shame, like sisters and brothers.

People over the world, just understand, and love each other.

Face each day with a smile, and in a while, sunshine appears.

You’ll feel warm deep inside, no need to hide, from danger and fear.

Am I striving to be the touch of love the world is thirsting for? Am I willing to be the elixir of life (Sirach 6:16) I wish to see in the world?

Anil Israel lives in Mannheim, Germany, with his wife Sunitha and their 5 children.