Christ-Focus in Healing

To seek healing rather than the divine Healer is one of the most common forms of out-of-focus Christianity. (It is also one of the least recognized and hardest to correct.) People who are suffering severely can easily become distracted from Christ. Their physical pain and emotional suffering are so preoccupying that these people tend to become self-centered. This distorts their spiritual perspective, leading them to seek “it” rather than “him,” to plead frantically for healing rather than for a meaningful encounter with the divine Healer.

Jesus had such an encounter with the blind Bartimaeus, who took the first step by acknowledging Jesus as the great “ Son of David,” while humbly begging for mercy (see Mark 10:46-52). Notice that Jesus then took the initiative. Compassionately, he called Bartimaeus over and gently elicited his request: “What do you want me to do for you?” (10:51). The blind man’s subsequent cure was, as Jesus told him, a faith-triggered healing – but his was a faith that focused on Jesus the healer rather than on the expected healing.

This focus on Jesus is crucial because it provides the only adequate antidote to the poison of great pain and suffering. Then, instead of indulging in querulous complaints, we grow in intimacy with Jesus, which brings, paradoxically, joy and peace. We experience the peace and rest that Jesus promised to the anguished: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me…and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Mt 11:28-30). And we can make sense out of Peter’s exhortation: “Rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ” (1 Pt 4:!3).

By focusing on Jesus when we are in pain, we can associate ourselves with this redemptive sufferings. This is how Paul viewed his own sufferings in the service of Christ (see Colossians 1:24), as also his prayers of petition for the salvation of others (see Ephesians 1:16). The kingdom-building power of Paul’s sufferings and prayer derived from the awesome experience of being incorporated into Christ (see Ephesians 1:!3) and “identified” with him (see Galatians 2:20). Paul lived with Peter wrote, “Since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude” (1 Pt 4:1).

Those who have lost (or never attained) a consistent Christ-focus might do well to reflect on all these areas in which it is vital to have one, and to consider what types of spiritual failure they may be especially vulnerable to. Remember: the only real and ultimate antidote to all spiritual toxins is to keep focused on “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col 1:27).

This excerpt is from the book The Art of Loving God by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications, 1995. This and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/visual materials can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408.