It has often been a mystery to me in situations of addiction that a person can be placed in rehabilitation and endure a horrific process of withdrawal from the substance that has caused their addiction. After much suffering the person is finally freed from their physical dependence on the substance and can now live free from the addiction but time and again the person, after all of the suffering from the process of withdrawal and physical healing will return to the source of their enslavement and become addicted again to the same substance. When they have suffered so much from their addiction and they have worked so hard to be freed from its physical effects, why would they go back to the source of all of their suffering? Apparently the addiction is not the only wound that this person is suffering.

Treating only what can be seen as the effects of the addiction is not enough to bring a person back to health and the fullness of life. Support groups and personal relationships with a sponsor can help bring new hope to a person struggling with deep, personal wounds.
Healing is not just a matter of treating presenting symptoms and visible manifestations of disease. The physical and visible woundedness of a person is often not the true and only source of the suffering that a person is enduring in life. The physical wounds that are visible and treatable are often not the only cause of suffering that the person is enduring in illness. Often there are deeper, spiritual wounds that are hidden within a person that are causing a more persistent pain in a person’s life. These wounds need to be treated also to bring a person to full healing.
When a person is suffering from illness there are deep hurts that a person must endure. Often a sick person is separated from society and becomes isolated and alone. The person might be feeling shame and humiliation because of their weakness and helplessness. They can feel embarrassed and ashamed at not being able to be themselves and accomplish the tasks that they once were able to carry out with ease. They see themselves as diminished and a burden to others and withdraw even more from relationships. There may be a sense of guilt as the person irrationally thinks that they have in some way caused their own weakness. The person already feels the cold and lonely touch of death. Often a sick person might feel distant and forgotten by God, unable to pray and unworthy to worship.
Jesus is able to see beyond the visible, physical wounds of the sick persons that he encounters and has great compassion and pity for their spiritual suffering. Jesus knows what is in the hearts of those he encounters and he knows that it is often what is deep within a person that causes them the greatest pain. These are the wounds that Jesus wants to touch and to heal. He doesn’t just want to restore a person to good physical health but he wants to return a person to life and to communion with others. Jesus has the fiery touch of new life.

The leper that approaches Jesus on his knees appeals to his heart of compassion and mercy, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” (Mk 1,40) To be made clean is more than just healing physical wounds, it is restoring a person back to wholeness and communion with others. Jesus is “moved with pity” and he stretches out his hand and touches him. The touch of Jesus penetrates deep within the leper’s soul and brings him back to life. The leper is no longer a pariah to be feared but is once again a person to be loved by God. “I do will it. Be made clean.” Jesus wills that all those who are suffering might receive a clean start and be restored to life. The question is not really whether Jesus wants to heal us but more profoundly, as Jesus asks the crippled person at the pool of Bethesda, “Do you want to be well?” (Jn 5,6) Without faith, Jesus can do very little healing. In Nazareth, “He was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.” (Mk 6,5f)

Persons that are sick need to be touched by Jesus. This touch is not only physical but is a touch of compassion and mercy that allows a person to feel that they are not alone but are in communion with others who are praying for them. Ministers to the sick and homebound are the hands and heart of Jesus that reach out and touch the deepest wounds. Sick persons need more than medical attention, they need spiritual and communal attention. Visiting the sick, praying with them and listening to their struggles and frustrations are important elements to being the healing presence of Jesus. A healing touch is something that we all can offer to the sick.