Leader
[Jesus said to Simon Peter] "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you."
Jesus said to him, "Tend my sheep." John 21:16

Pause

We have been called to serve in the ministry of Catholic health care:
to bring alive the Gospel vision of justice and peace,
to foster healing, act with compassion,
to promote wellness for all persons and communities,
to attend to those who are poor, underserved, and vulnerable,
and to transform hurt into hope.
Let us turn to the Word of God.

Reader
Jesus Heals a Paralytic Mark 2: 1-5, 11-12

When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven. I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home." And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"

Pause

Who ministered in this passage from the Gospels?

Our faith tells us that Jesus healed the paralytic man, but who else ministered to him?
Surely, the loved ones who cared for his needs did so. The feet carrying him across rough roads and the strong arms peeling back roofing materials surely ministered to him as well. Those steady hands lowering a loved one to Jesus' feet were also ministers of grace and healing.

We are not all physicians, nurses or therapists offering healing touch to the sick on a daily
basis. Nevertheless, we trust the work of our hands is still ministry; our footsteps can still
bring people to Jesus's feet.

Leader
Let us pray together for the grace to remain steadfast in our commitment to the healing
ministry of Jesus.

Leader
For a spirit of joy as we work to promote and defend human dignity, attending to
the whole person in our care. We pray,

All
Send Your Spirit, O God.

Leader
For a spirit of openness to hear the cry of the poor and vulnerable. We pray,

All
Send Your Spirit, O God.

Leader
For a spirit of courage to seek justice in all things and promote the common good,
we pray. We pray,

All
Send Your Spirit, O God.

Leader
For a spirit of wisdom stewarding our resources and gifts of the earth and
faithfulness to act in communion with your Church. We pray,

All
Send Your Spirit, O God.

God of all Creation, in Jesus you showed us what it means to heal. Let our
call and ministry be a witness to your continued healing presence in the
world. Amen.