Healing

Interestingly enough, today's theme comes to us on the dreaded "Friday the 13th".  Nothing to fear from this superstition, however, but everything to gain as we see Jesus healing the paralytic who was lowered to him through the roof for a cure.  Jesus not only healed the man but forgave his sins, and as proof, told him to pick up his mat and walk home. No question here about the power Jesus had to forgive sins as well as to heal the sick. (Cf. Mk 2: 1-12).
Today, fittingly, is also the Memorial of St. Hilary of Poitiers, France, who accepted the Faith in his 30's and was acclaimed Bishop of Poitiers by the people. Besides being one of the 35 saints who are Doctors of the Church, he is the patron of the ill.  (We are not sure of the reason for this.)
It seems we are always being asked to pray for someone undergoing surgery or suffering from some illness, so this Gospel and St. Hilary stand as reminders that the power of God, working through our prayers as well as the hands of the doctors, can bring about the sought-after healing.  Let us, then,  be generous and persistent in our prayers for all the sick as well as for those particular people who have requested our prayers.
Bro. Rene