Homily: January 9, 2026, Friday after Epiphany (Healing)

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 “Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people.”

Healing was a central part of Jesus’ public ministry. Wherever He went, He healed: bodily diseases, emotional wounds, and spiritual disturbances. He restored dignity, hope, and life, to whoever believed and wanted it.

I must admit, many times while visiting people in hospitals or nursing homes, I have wished that I too had the gift of healing. Standing before someone who was suffering, I just wished I could simply touch them and make them well, like Jesus did, and end the sadness of their loved ones.

But I can’t. I don’t have such a gift. But some people do.

This past week, I was away at the SEEK Conference in Columbus, Ohio. It was an incredible experience. Tens of thousands of people were there to encounter Jesus and I am sure they did.

Two young women from our parish probably did, on a very personal level. They met a priest there. Well, there were more than 500 priests present, and they met this particular priest who made an impact. During their conversation with him, the priest looked at one of them and simply asked, “Do you have shoulder pain?”

Coincident or not, she indeed had been suffering from chronic pain in the shoulder for some time. He prayed over her, and instantly, she was healed of her pain!

Then he turned to the other young woman and asked, “Are you a nurse?” When she said yes, he told her that she had a gift of healing and that God would use her to bring healing to others.

She did not ask for healing. She did not ask for a blessing. Yet God reached out to her exactly where she was.

And truly, Jesus desires to heal us, often even before we ask. Just as He healed the leper and made him clean, He longs to heal us today. He wants to make us whole and free us to live a full life.

Like the leper in the Gospel, let our prayer be simple and trusting:

• Jesus, if You wish, You can restore my health.

• Jesus, if You wish, You can heal my wounds.

• Jesus, if You wish, You can mend my brokenness.

• Jesus, if You wish, You can fill my emptiness.

Healing does not always happen the way we expect it, yet always in God’s time. Yet, to be able to carry our crosses with hope is itself a grace. And to be graced by God, is itself a privilege and blessing.

So while we pray and ask for healing with confidence, we also ask for the grace to accept God’s will. Jesus wants to heal us, but more so, He wants us to follow the will of His Father. Amen.


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