From today’s Scripture: “‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ He heard this and said, ‘Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.’” — Matthew 9:11-13

One of my favorite images of the Church is “a field hospital after battle.” Pope Francis said that “the thing the church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful; it needs nearness, proximity. I see the church as a field hospital after battle.” This image emphasizes mercy as Jesus emphasizes in the Gospel today to “learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy not sacrifice.”

In many of the rural places that Glenmary serves, people lack access to hospitals because the rural ones are closing. This is a sad and deadly injustice. How can we respond? Many wounded and/or unwell people, including myself, need The Great Physician. Glenmary sees the need to go to the margins to set up “field hospitals” and reach out with mercy to the sick, and provide a place of refuge and hospitality. We invite and welcome them to dine with us as Jesus did to heal our wounds.

Let us pray: Lord, we need you. We are wounded and unwell. Heal the wounds that we have. Empower us to take care of each other. Lord, have mercy on us.

Today’s author is Brother Jason Muhlenkamp, a missioner in Trousdale County, Tennessee.

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