TGIMMher

	THE CURE OF PRESENCE

The Gospel

JOHN 5:1-9a

There was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem at the Sheep Gate a pool called in Hebrew Bethesda, with five porticoes. In these lay a large number of ill, blind, lame, and crippled. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be well?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am on my way, someone else gets down there before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your mat and walk.” Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked.

The Media

"Her Diamonds"

Rob Thomas

"I don’t know what I’m supposed to do, but if she feels bad, then I do too. So I let her be. And she says, 'I can’t take no more,' her tears like diamonds on the floor, and her diamonds bring me down 'cause I can’t help her now. She tried her best, and now she can’t win; it’s hard to see them on the ground, her diamonds falling down. By the light of the moon, she rubs her eyes, sits down on the bed and starts to cry. And there's something less about her. And I don't know what I'm supposed to do. So I sit down and I cry too, and don't let her see me."

The blind and disabled in Jerusalem where Jesus was ministering knew about the Sheep Pool. They believed that when the waters bubbled up, it was an angel of the Lord who was present, and the first one to get into the pool would be healed of whatever sickness they had. Most could never reach the Pool in time when the waters were stirred, and so they were doomed to lie in the place forever with no one caring for them. Jesus, always aware of those who were most in need, knew about the Pool as well. And so, in time, he came to the Pool to help and care for the ones who needed it. Without being asked, John the evangelist records that Jesus went directly to a man in need.

Why did Jesus choose that particular man? Were there others there that needed his healing touch? The evangelist chooses not to answer those questions. He simply makes it obvious that Jesus knew what that man needed. He wanted to be healed, but perhaps more than anything, the man needed someone who cared for him, and would take the time to help him. Jesus was open to the man and took care of his illness.

The person in Rob Thomas' song "Her Diamonds" says that he does not know what to do about a friend's pain. Actually he does, and is in fact doing it. As one studies the song, the person is showing true compassion for the other: he is "feeling with" the pain of the other. He stays with her, knowing that if he cannot help her at that time, that there will come a time when he will be able to help. At this moment in time, however, all he can do is to be with her, giving her the assurance of his presence.

The song gives us a tremendous lesson concerning human mental suffering. Most of the time, such mental pain cannot be cured by anything chemical or physical. It can only be helped by "presence," the presence of one who cares. Many who are suffering from the mental pain do not have someone who will care enough to even spend the time with them. All they need is such a "presence." In fact, a person's presence may indeed be the cure that is needed.

THOUGHT

In your own little world right now, who is most in need of help? Is there anything that you can do for the person?

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, during his time on earth, your Son was able to help people who were suffering. As he helped them, he showed the importance of simply being present to them. Give us the grace to be present to those who are suffering. Be with us, we pray.

Questions, comments? Let me know. Email Fr. Mike