Last weekend in the NFL, the Buffalo Bills faced the Pittsburgh Steelers in frigid conditions with temperatures around 17 degrees in heavy snow and high wind gusts. In another game, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Miami Dolphins in Kansas City, where the temperature was a bone-chilling negative 4 degrees with a wind chill of negative 27.
There is an undeniable allure to sports that attracts crowds from all strata of life. Whether it's football, basketball, baseball, or hockey, sports provide a communal experience filled with excitement, creative tension, and moments of release and joy. Devoted fans often liken the sports world to a religion, where players are revered as demi-gods, the stands of a stadium serve as pews, and the cheers echo like hymns reaching the heavens. Last week's NFL games in the U.S. witnessed enthusiasts braving bone-chilling cold, stands adorned with snow, and even visibility impaired by the fog generated by the collective exhalation of the crowd. Despite the harsh weather conditions, a magnetic pull compels people to be present and fervently support their teams.
Jesus Has More to Offer
There is something more about Jesus that attracts a great multitude of people, even from many distant Gentile regions. News of his holy presence spreads like wildfire, drawing mammoth crowds. The numbers are so large that the disciples must prepare a boat in case an emergency exit is needed. The crowd follows Jesus with fervent expectations, much like football enthusiasts, but unlike fans' desire for winning and excitement, the crowd in this story is most likely seeking individual healing.
Why would they undertake such long and risky journeys to encounter this charismatic preacher and healer from Nazareth? Most likely, they are at the end of their rope, suffering from physical, psychological, and emotional afflictions. Jesus heals many of them, but not as a faceless crowd. He touches them personally, restoring their faith and hope.
Wanting to Heal like Jesus
Many times, I have been asked to anoint people who are seriously sick, even at the point of dying. I have to admit that this is one of the difficult moments in my priesthood. I cannot help but face some critical questions—What will I say to console them? What will I do to remove their pains and fears of dying? Can I make them well? What would Jesus do if he were in my place? Every priest wishes that every person he touches and anoints would get well as Jesus did in the gospel.
There's something about us as social creatures that we all long for a collective experience of joy, excitement, and solidarity. Social and sporting events afford us this experience and can draw the best out of us. But Religion elevates this instinct by binding us together on a deeper level, allowing us to commune with each other and the source of life and goodness. A deeper relationship with our divine source makes us dramatically aware of our human brokenness and our need for personal touch and healing. We sorely long for personal affirmation, recognition, and wholeness. Jesus, the Son of God, singles us out and shows us that the Kingdom of God is not a religion of an anonymous crowd, but a communion of persons committed to promoting life in its fullness.
Does Jesus continue to heal us today? Yes, he does. Jesus continues to heal us through the Sacraments. Amidst the grandeur of communal experiences, let's challenge ourselves today to embody the essence of Jesus' personal touch. Beyond the allure of crowds, we strive to recognize and heal the individual struggles within ourselves and our communities. In doing so, let us elevate the collective human experience by fostering connections that mirror the compassion and healing exemplified by Jesus.
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