Reflection: Pope Francis "I see the church as a field hospital after battle."

The thing the church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful; it needs nearness, proximity. I see the church as a field hospital after battle. It is useless to ask a seriously injured person if he has high cholesterol and about the level of his blood sugars! You have to heal his wounds. Then we can talk about everything else. Heal the wounds, heal the wounds...and you have to start from the ground up. Pope Francis 

When a person is seriously wounded, the most life threatening issues must be addressed first.  A person in great pain or deep sin or addiction or loneliness needs care for these issues first and then given time to heal.  

In today's first Reading, the Lord speaks about healing wounds.  

Is this not, rather, the fast that I choose; releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking off every yoke?  Is it not sharing your bread with the hungry, bringing the afflicted and the homeless into your house; clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own flesh?  Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed. Isaiah 58:6-8

How does the Lord heal wounds?  The Sacraments are the way to healing.  In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, you receive healing, grace, mercy and peace. Run to Jesus. His hands are outstretched waiting for you. Don't worry if you have not been to confession for a while. The priest will help you. Ask Our Lady to accompany you into confession. She is your most loving Mother. She will guide you, as she guides the priest. She is the Mother of all priests. The priest is, "in Persona Christi" which means, in confession, you are speaking to Jesus Himself. You receive healing in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus brings healing and unimaginable graces. Run to Jesus in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus. When you receive Jesus in the Eucharist, give Him your wounds and ask Him to heal you. Jesus comes to bring us healing in this great Sacrament of Love. 

If you live in New England, you know firsthand about the harshness of winter.  During the past month, more than seven feet of snow has fallen in Boston. The continued harsh weather has caused great hardship for so many. Properties have been damaged and there are more storms in the forecast. 

Consider the problems of ice dams, leaky roofs and potholes. They cause great harm to property. Consider your soul. When we have sin, it causes harm to us and to others. The way to heal the soul is through the Sacraments. It is through the Sacraments that Jesus will heal the ice dams, leaky roofs and pot holes in your soul. the places where you have been wounded, by your own sin or by the harm caused to you by someone else. Jesus is the Divine Physician. The touch of His Hand heals.

Then the Lord will guide you always and satisfy your thirst in parched places, will give strength to your bones, and you shall be like a watered garden, like a flowing spring whose waters never fail. Your people shall build the ancient ruins; the foundations from ages past, you shall raise up; "Repairer of the breach," they shall call you, "Restorer of ruined dwellings." Isaiah 58:11-12

When you come to the Lord in the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist, Jesus comes to you with His everlasting love and mercy. Jesus is the "Repairer of the breach, Restorer of ruined dwellings." He will heal your soul and give you strength to sin no more. You will be like a watered garden, like a flowing spring whose waters never fail.

Loving Jesus, teach us Your ways and draw us to Your Sacraments where You heal. Through these Sacraments, You will transform the winter of our souls into a glorious springtime!