Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs
My husband Tom and I recently returned from a medical service trip to Nicaragua. We accompanied a group of UD students to the village of La Corneta where we provided medical care to people from the village and surrounding area. When I read today’s gospel, I was reminded that as disciples of Christ each one of us is called to bring the healing touch of compassion to every person we encounter. To be a healer you need more than medicines, lab tests, or a degree. A listening ear, an attentive presence, and a compassionate heart are essential to bring wholeness to another through the touch of God.
In today’s gospel, Jesus and His disciples are in Gennesaret, and when people realize that Jesus is in their area, they “scurry about” the region to bring the sick to Him for healing. With only a touch (even from the tassel on His cloak), Jesus’ healing power is experienced by many. His compassionate touch draws people to whatever village or town He visits.
Our medical service trip brought us to a hillside in rural Nicaragua. When we travel to these towns, we have very little medications to offer, and there are no places for testing and x-rays close by. Much of the care that we give is in the form of listening, caring, educating on ways for better health, and possibly sharing a few medications for various illnesses or complaints. There are referral sources in the large cities, but many of these villagers are unable to afford or travel to these medical care providers.
Many of the UD students have an opportunity to shadow us when we are seeing patients. Besides sharing with them details about taking a history and doing a simple exam, we think that the most significant concept we can share with them is the importance of being a health care provider that listens well and has great compassion.
This trip was particularly memorable for us. When we were welcomed to the community, a Nicaraguan health care worker prayed for our group and our time spent in the community. Her prayer was one of gratitude and blessing. When our brigade was complete, this same woman called Tom and me over to her. Not only did she thank us, but she shared that she could see “the Face of Christ” in the care we provided the people in her village. She then offered to pray for us, and she blessed us with a prayer of amazing grace showering upon us God’s wisdom and love for both our medical practice and marriage. Tom and I were both brought to tears as we experienced the outpouring of Christ’s love through her prayer. There was a very palpable sense of God’s Spirit shared that day.
These experiences in La Corneta only further confirm to me the need to imitate Christ and His compassion. Fr. Ronald Rolheiser suggests that Jesus’ concept of perfection (“Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.”Mt. 5:48) is more about compassion than being “flawless.” This call to be compassionate is for all people.
And yet how do we show compassion? I believe it begins with openness to the other as well as a willingness to be present to the other. Compassion also entails listening without condemnation and accepting the other as a brother and sister in Christ. When that other person recognizes that they have been respectfully attended to, then there is an opportunity for healing. A person that feels validated in their concerns is more likely to receive or hear what might be a possible solution or cure for his or her illness.
When we were seeing patients in La Corneta, we tried to greet each person with love and respect as we carefully listened to their worries. Although many of the illnesses that they had required things that we were not able to provide (clean water, better sanitation, etc.), many of the people who we cared for expressed gratitude just for the fact that we had come to their village and shared what we could give. I believe that it was our compassionate delivery of health care that allowed the Nicaraguan health care worker to see Christ in our actions. Her comment about our work in La Corneta was one of the most treasured compliments that I have ever received. It was not because she was praising us, but because she could see Christ working in us and through us. Even more significant to me is the notion that these words came from a total stranger in a foreign country. I am reminded that wherever I am and whatever I do, I have the opportunity to bring Christ to others.
Compassion is needed not just in La Corneta, but across the world. Particularly in our country we need to find ways to bring compassion into our conversations and encounters with others. Our nation is in great need of healing, and the compassion of Christ is the cure we need. Inclusion instead of exclusion, helping those in need, and the commitment to work for peace are fruits of God’s compassion. To be a person of compassion may result in anger, derision, and hatred from others, but as disciples we are called to go out into all areas and bring God’s healing. With the grace of God’s Spirit within us, I hope that we can create communities based on mutual respect, love and mercy. “God saw how good it was” when He created the world. May the compassionate touch that we share with others bring God’s goodness to our world. Amen.
- Marylynn Herchline