Friday, October 17, 2025
Feast of Saint Ignatius of Antioch
My sisters and brothers in the Lord,
Welcome to week forty-two of BMW, Be My Witnesses. Let us continue our witnessing to Jesus, especially in our corporal works of mercy.
Mission: Visit the Sick
We believe as Christians that all the evil in the world is the result of sin, not the result of God’s plan or activity. This is not to say that one person’s illness is a result of his or her personal sin, but that in a perfect world there would be no illness. Late onset dementia seems to run in our family. Mom cared for her mom for a number of years when Grandma was in her 90s. And recently, death freed mom from her own dementia at the age of 92, having been well cared for by dad and especially by my sisters. Although there were many difficult days in this process, I don’t think any of them regret the loving care they provided.
Healing what is broken, mending what is torn, uniting what is divided, simply loving the one who cannot repay are all powerful instincts in our human hearts. However, they are instincts that need the grace of God to be effective. Jesus talked about all this so much at the Last Supper: we are to remain in his love; we are to bear fruit; we are to be his friends and be filled with his joy. But he especially prayed to the Father: “I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us” (John 17:20-21).
We have the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick which, through the grace of God, is meant to counter the evils of illness through the power of the Holy Spirit. In this sacrament, healing and forgiveness go hand-in-hand.
I know some are ill at ease to visit a hospital or to be with the sick. However, any separation of the those who bear the brunt of any evil from the rest of us is not the Christian way. Christ wants us to be one, to be together, to love as he loved. Though this may be difficult, grace can provide us with the courage and staying power to serve others in any need. The Anointing of the Sick is a sign for all of us, as members of the Church, of Christ’s body, that we are all engaged in this healing and forgiving ministry.
My Weekly Challenge
For our challenge this week, join with your evangelizing partner to visit someone who is ill or shut in. This will most likely not eliminate the evil afflictions but will cement our solidarity with one another in Christ. Then, if asked, offer an expression of your own faith or volunteer to pray for that person.
Until next week, may God Bless you.
+ Earl Boyea
Bishop of Lansing
P.S. Here is a video version of this week's Be My Witnesses. Please do share with friends and family. Thank you.