Well, Well, Well: What We Do Have Here
Initially, I presumed that today’s gospel message was simple: Jesus heals us as long as we desire it. Reading the passage much more intently, I felt God’s revealing of a much deeper truth. When Jesus asked the man who had been ill for 38 years, “Do you want to be well?” His response wasn’t an immediate “Yes!” or “Of course!” Rather, he revealed his situation to Jesus. Unfortunately, this man has been living in an unjust situation that perpetuates his illness and suffering.
As a mental health provider in public K-12 schools for the past few years, I have encountered working class communities with vulnerable populations of students across the wellness spectrum. Many of these students struggle with the effects of poverty and other barriers stemming from it. I have heard countless stories of adverse childhood events including trauma, neglect, broken homes, racial violence, neighborhood crime, and much more. Oftentimes, wellness and health is focused on the individual. On the contrary, and through a sociopolitical analysis, I find that behavioral and emotional difficulties are symptoms of one’s difficult realities—the oppressive social structures that continually harm—rather than from within.
Today’s gospel provides me hope in my work: Jesus heals. Holding onto this truth, I believe that I have a stake in helping Jesus’ healing become real for the students I serve. And whenever I feel that the harsh realities are too overwhelming, I need to remind myself of what I do have: God’s love for me. During this Lent, may the love of God move us to share His healing with those around us, especially those who find themselves in difficult situations.
Christopher Tran