Mothers Group Reflection #14: Healing the Hidden Places

I was sitting in daily Mass earlier this week, when suddenly a phrase in the first reading grabbed my full attention. The reading was from the book of Hebrews:

“Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.” (Hebrews 2:14-18 NRSVCE)

What grabbed my attention is in verse 16, “For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham.” I have read this passage countless times, but I somehow passed over this verse in the past. There have been many times in my faith journey when I struggled so much with the slow process of sanctification, when I was frustrated because I was trying to be an angel and failing, forgetting that I’m only human. Maybe you can relate.

At times, it can be very discouraging to keep going around the same mountain and feeling like we’re not getting anywhere. Yet, Jesus is not shocked by any of this. Our weaknesses do not scare Him off. He does not draw back in repulsion, but He touched lepers, the hemorrhaging woman, sinful and possessed persons, dashing all expectations to pieces. Where people had previously been set apart from society in their maladies, they were able to draw close to Jesus, and be reintegrated into society after these encounters. He healed the very things that kept them apart from not only Himself, but their communities as well.

Jesus entered right into the mess of humanity, not as a conquering king, but as one of us. He didn’t heal these people by standing at a distance while pointing directions, but by touching them, by becoming like us in every way. He performed these healings by using even the elements of the earth, such as mud and saliva, in order to reveal His healing grace through His creation. He speaks to us from experience, not just as an all-knowing God up in heaven, but as a human, with a human heart, with human urges, with human weaknesses and temptations. He entered fully into our suffering so that He could be fully merciful toward us.

Furthermore, Jesus isn’t a quitter. He will not let go of us during this process of sanctification, but He promises to see us through to the end. What He begins, He will also complete, with our consent. The apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 1:6, “I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.” We need not fear the messiness of the middle, because He’s in this for the long haul and He loves us dearly (Jeremiah 31:3). As our pastor pointed out this morning, He sees the entire picture, the whole journey, not just the short space of time we find ourselves in right now.

As I meditate further on this verse, I think of my human relationships, my marriage in particular. When we get married or begin any new relationship, we are never really sure what we’re in for. We may take things very slow, we may ask all the right questions, but there will still always be an element of mystery and surprise. We will never completely see the whole person, yet God does. He knows exactly what He’s getting Himself into when He enters into relationship with each one of us and He knows us better than we know ourselves.

All that is required of us is trust, a trust that shows itself in our actions, by our willingness to let Him have all of us, because He can’t heal what we are too afraid to show Him. We have absolutely nothing to fear or hide. When we do come to Him in faith, we can be assured that He will never leave us to our own devices. Even though human relationships may fail at times, Jesus says to each of us, “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5 NRSVCE). What could possibly give us more joy than that?

Thoughts for further reflection:

Is there any room in your heart that you have not yet invited Jesus into? Consider bringing Jesus into this place during prayer this week, sharing in your own words what this place means to you and asking Him for His help. Consider spending some time in Eucharistic adoration, letting Him gaze on you with His love, as you open this place to His healing and love.

Verse for the Week:

“For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham.” - Hebrews 2:16 NRSVCE