On January 23, we remember and pray to Saint Marianne Cope, a religious of the Sisters of the Third Order of Saint Francis in Syracuse, New York.
Sister Cope served as a principal and teacher in New York schools and helped establish two Catholic hospitals. From there, she went to Hawaii to serve the lepers of Molokai, where she met and assisted Saint Damien for thirty-five years.
Saint Marianne Cope is a role model and inspiration for each of us to reach out to those in need in our families, circle of friends, and beyond, with compassion.
In the Gospel of Mark, we see the effect of Jesus' compassion and healing power. Large numbers of people from Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, beyond the Jordan River, and from Tyre and Sidon were all drawn to Jesus because they believed He could heal them.
To remain in their presence, but not be crushed by the press of humanity, Jesus entered a boat. Mark tells us that Jesus had cured many, and so those who heard Him flocked to Him, believing if only they could touch Him, they too would be healed.
Jesus also had cast out unclean spirits from people who were possessed by the Devil. These unclean spirits would speak the truth, saying, “You are the Son of God.”
As I was writing this homily, I was trying to remember if I had ever been in crowd like Mark describes in the gospel. I think we’ve all seen images on TV or the internet of people surging toward aid trucks after natural disasters for food, water, and medical supplies. Likewise, many of us have been to the hospital and seen the masses of people in waiting rooms or inside the Emergency Room with people on stretchers in the hallway waiting to be seen by a doctor or moved to a room.
Likewise, I am sure Saints Cope and Damien must have experienced a series of dramatic scenes when they sought to serve the lepers of Molokai in the Name of Jesus, and Mark’s words would have resonated with them.
In each of these cases, people are seeking help, whether from Jesus, religious men and women, or ordinary people like you and me who work in disaster relief and healthcare. Saint Marianne Cope and Mark’s gospel remind us of Jesus' healing power through the Sacraments of Confession, the Anointing of the Sick, and the Eucharist, where we can not only touch Him but also receive Him into our bodies.
Saint Paul writes to the Hebrews: "Jesus is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them."
Just like the people in the Gospel of Mark, may we always have faith and hope in approaching Jesus for our families, friends, and all our needs.
Reverend David S. Marcham is the Vice Postulator for the Cause of Venerable Patrick Peyton, and Director of the Father Peyton Guild, whose members pray for Father Peyton’s beatification and spread his message of the importance of Family Prayer. Prior to becoming a seminarian, Father David was a physical therapist and clinical instructor, serving hospital inpatients and outpatients throughout the greater Boston area for eleven years. In 1998 he heard the call to priesthood and was ordained in the Archdiocese of Boston in 2005. Father David grew up in Quincy, MA, and has fond memories of playing soccer, tennis and running track. You’re never without a friend when Father David is around, as he welcomes everyone into his circle with a smile on his face!
