Jesus’ concern for man.

Perhaps we cannot imagine life without pain and suffering. It is said that he who has not suffered cannot understand the suffering and the sick. Societies worldwide spend considerable sums to alleviate and prevent pain in the human body. Pain is as old as man has known sin, for it is its consequence. But God has not ceased to love man. He promised to send a Redeemer as soon as He left Eden.

As we read the Gospel, we learn that Jesus comes into the world for all to proclaim the kingdom of God to all. His activity is missionary. That is why he does not want to act only around Capernaum, but, as we read today, he answers the apostles, “I must proclaim the kingdom of God to other cities also, for that is what I was sent to do” (Lk 4:43). These words speak of Jesus’ great concern for all people.

The Lord Jesus had to help many. We can feel it also from the words of St. Mark the Evangelist, who is not in a position to describe everything and is content with a mere remark: “And he healed many who were afflicted with various infirmities, and cast out many evil spirits….” (Mk 1:34). The expression “many” speaks for itself. When we think of these words from the Gospel, it is as if St. Paul, in the second reading, wanted to add a note to them: “… I have become the servant of all, that I may gain as many as possible” (1 Cor. 9:19). In the same way, the ministry of the Lord Jesus for all can be compared to that of a servant, an unfree man who works for others without rest, without reward, often without recognition. The Lord Jesus did not desire or seek recognition from men. On the contrary, he usually strictly commands the healed not to tell anyone about it. He was only interested in the person who needed his help and nothing more.

We can also put it this way: Jesus cares about man’s body and soul. We see He longs to get into the human soul through the healed body. We have read that healing Simon Peter’s mother-in-law is not just some human gesture. He wanted something more from his action. Jesus was starting from the situation that every person, without examining who they are and what they are, is to be helped. It is not enough just to put a hand on his shoulder and say a comforting word: “May God comfort you,” but one must comfort the person. We are to help him concretely and not leave him to his fate. “For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat; … I was naked, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you visited me” (Mt 25:35-36). We can say that the words also apply to us: “Truly I say to you: Whatever you did to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did to me” (Mt. 25:40).

In short, we can say that the believing Christian, whose faith is alive and who truly lives by faith, cannot live without noticing in practice the concrete help he gives to another when he sees him in need. It should not make any difference to the Christian who needs help what kind of person he is, for Jesus makes it clear that whatever we do to a neighbor for Christ’s sake, we do as it were to Christ Himself. Jesus is primarily concerned for the soul of man. Mark’s words call our attention to this: “He healed many… and cast out many evil spirits” (Mk 1:34).

The casting out of evil spirits, even if it involved specific people, should be a warning for us to give serious thought. It is a symbol of a sad reality. For many need to be cast out of their hearts, not evil spirits, but they need to be freed from weaknesses, passions, and sinful habits, for if Christ and his gospel are to prevail in their hearts, there must first be a cleansing, removal of that which does not belong there. This is what he commands us to do to build up the kingdom of God in our hearts and our neighbors’ hearts. Jesus came into the world to do this, to convince people of how much He cares about saving immortal souls. This salvation begins with deliverance from evil. And that often requires a good example, a good word, or encouragement from another.

We, believers, are to prepare ourselves for that as well. We need one another. Cooperation and example will help us to live our lives more fully. How does one feel good in the presence of such a person who is not egotistical, who knows how to rejoice and mourn together, who does not know the definition of “quid pro quo,” but for the sake of helping his neighbor can forget himself… We have many such examples. Let us remember Mother Teresa, Don Bosco, Vincent de Paul, and the Daughters of Christian Charity – Vincentians who care for the sick and poor without any reward here on earth. They know how to help the body but also the soul. Even if they do not desire fame and recognition, they are admired by the unbelieving world.

Mother Teresa is a Nobel Prize winner, but also other honors in the world. St. Vincent was poor, and yet it was said of him, and it was true, that he was the wealthiest man because he knew how to receive with one hand and give it away with the other, where it was most needed.

Yes, we cannot imagine life without pain and suffering. We are not only modern people but also people of faith, so let us be even more aware of our mission in this area. Let us be more like brothers. Let us be more human, not limit ourselves, and not say that this does not concern me because today, someone may need you. Tomorrow you may need someone else, both physically and materially, and spiritually. And when we understand this in practice, today’s Gospel and our reflection have not been a waste of time, but a great benefit to our lives.