What disciples of Christ do

Today’s Gospel is a great guide for discipleship, with many details that would be valuable for our own reflection.

This week’s news from Rome, however, draws me to focus on the last part of last verse (#13): that the Twelve “anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.”

This verse is not only about the Sacrament of the Sick, nor is it only about spectacularly miraculous healings. This verse addresses both of these things, but also more.

It is part of what disciples of Christ are to do – you and I, each in our own ways - to care for the sick, to pray for the sick, to be instruments of healing (miraculous and otherwise), and to never be discouraged but always to share God’s love with those who are feeling ill.