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Healing All Dimensions

Summary of a Fr. Gerry Creedon homily from March 02, 2008

"You were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord." Ephesians 5:8

The Pew Foundation reported this week that the USA has surpassed China in the numbers of people incarcerated, a higher percentage than any other country. One in 9 young black men are in prison, far more than the percentage of the general population. It is estimated that at least 15% of Virginia's prisoners suffer mental illness. State hospitals and larger mental health institutions have been closed to allow for "the least restrictive environment". It was hoped that people with mental illnesses could be easily reintegrated into the neighborhoods. However funding did not follow policy. And neighborhoods thought this approach was a great idea.... somewhere else.

It should be no surprise that so many who suffer mentally and physically end up in shelters and jails, not treatment centers.

The Gospel today relates Jesus' healing of the blind man. In addition to his disability, he was considered a sinner. This may seem primitive to us, but people with disabilities still report the continuing experience of stigma and social isolation.

Jesus healed the physical disability of the blind man, but the leaders of the community still shunned him. "You were born totally in sin, and you are trying to teach us?" Then they threw him out.

The season of Lent is a time for healing in all of its dimensions. That is why we celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation the week before Easter. Healing embraces our personal life. It also touches our social life.

As a church we are called to be reconciled with one another so that in turn we can bring a measure of healing to our neighbors and integration to all who suffer exclusion.