Members of the medical profession in Greater Cleveland attended the annual White Mass at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe on Oct. 18, followed by dinner and a presentation.
Bishop Edward Malesic was the celebrant with Father Joe Brankatelli, chaplain for the Cleveland Guild of the Catholic Medical Association, and Father Andy Turner, president/rector of Borromeo and Saint Mary seminaries, as concelebrants.
(See photo gallery above.)
“It is appropriate that we gather today for the White Mass on the feast of St. Luke,” the bishop told the attendees. “As you know, St. Luke was not only an evangelist, writing both a Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles, but also a medical doctor whose skills at observation and recording detail set him apart from the other evangelists.”
During St. Paul’s imprisonment, he referred to St. Luke as “the beloved physician,” the bishop said, speculating that perhaps St. Luke was caring for St. Paul’s physical ailments. However, eh said St. Luke never could cure St. Paul of his “thorn in the flesh,” an unknown ailment that could have been physical or spiritual.
“Luke is the only one of the four Gospel writers to put the statements on the lips of Jesus, ‘Physician, heal yourself,’ and ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.’ Luke the physician sees Jesus as the physician without rival – Jesus being the one who could heal both body and soul. Yes, Jesus healed the sick, even raising the dead, but he could also cast out demons and offer the healing balm of forgiveness and mercy,” Bishop Malesic said.
He reminded the medical professionals that Jesus is present with them as the divine physician, their partner in their practice, whenever they treat someone in the office, a clinic or a hospital.
“Jesus is always looking over your shoulder – and, if you have ears to hear, he is also giving you advice. He tells you that the person in front of you is not just flesh and bone, but also spirit and soul. The person in front of you is not only someone to be treated, but also someone to be loved,” he added.
The bishop talked about attending a recent retreat for bishops with three others at the Carmelite Spiritual Center outside of Chicago, Illinois that was offered by the John Paul II Center for Healing. Each of the four bishops received individualized and personalized attention with a focus on healing and forgiveness. Even bishops need both spiritual and physical healing and they need to experience mercy for themselves, he said.
During one session, he talked about receiving the gift of healing in an unexpected way as an osteopathic doctor manipulated his bones and muscles. “It felt good and that experience prepared me for the spiritual experiences that would come later during the retreat – even preparing me to receive the Eucharist with greater reverence, believe it or not. When we are at peace in ourselves, we can contemplate the mysteries of God more deeply. We receive more fully when we are at peace within ourselves. In fact, we can do all things with him who strengthens us. That one who strengthens us is Jesus.”
The Gospel told the story of Jesus sending out the 72 disciples to every town and village he intended to visit so they could prepare the way for his arrival. He knew their job wouldn’t be easy and called them “lambs among wolves.” They were instructed not to bring anything with them so they could learn to trust that God would provide.
“They needed to trust that they were serving a God who was stronger than they were, and who could see the larger picture of the harvest that was being prepared for the Kingdom of God,” he said.
The bishop told the doctors, nurses and medical students that they were much more prepared in their medical profession that those 72 were in their mission to prepare the way for the kingdom. They had years of training and honing their craft. “But again, remember that you are also disciples who are sent out to help souls, not only to heal bodies. You also need to trust that God sees the bigger picture and gives you what you need as the face of God’s love for everyone you encounter. And you must also trust that God will work through you,” he added.
“Prepare the way of the Lord in every person you meet. And also know that sometimes it is the patient or person in front of you who is preparing the way of the Lord for you, too. Use Luke, the beloved physician, as an example. A good healer, but a man who knew the divine healer. It is the healing of Jesus that restores us to complete health. And even when we die and turn to dust this divine physician will be able to put us back together and heal even the divisions and wars that come our way during this, our time, on earth,” the bishop said.
Dr. Ronald Sobecks of the medical guild, said about 60 people attended the event, which included his presentation of “The Definitive Healing in Medicine.”
Dr. Sobecks said the medical guild is also planning its 2024 conference for Feb. 17, 2024 at St. Albert the Great Parish in North Royalton. The day will include Mass, lunch and speakers. Attendees can qualify for continuing education credits. Details will be announced soon on the website and in the January/February issue of Northeast Ohio Catholic magazine.