Explore how Jesus uses a medical metaphor to teach the importance of Confession and spiritual healing in today's Gospel reflection by Katie Fitzgerald.
Today's Gospel: Luke 5:27-32
In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us a medical metaphor for the Church. He compares sin to sickness, and tells the complaining Pharisees and scribes that He has come to call sinners to repentance. He wants us to get spiritually well, so we can join Him in eternal life when we die.
This medical metaphor is a great way to teach our kids about the importance of Confession. When your child sprains an ankle on the soccer field, breaks an arm on the playground, or needs stitches after a bad cut, there is a good chance that child will visit a doctor. The same is true for illnesses like strep throat, where medicine is needed to promote healing. We go to the doctor’s office to become whole again, so we can resume the activities of everyday living.
Our souls, too, have ailments. Each of the Ten Commandments could easily be rewritten as a list of symptoms. We become spiritually sick with things like pride, greed, selfishness, lust, and anger. Children, as well as adults, can suffer from these sins, and they impact our ability to receive God’s graces and to grow in our spirituality. It only makes sense, then, that we would need to take our souls to receive healing. The Confessional is basically the medical clinic where our souls can become whole again so we can resume the full practice of the faith. By confessing our sins, we have the amazing opportunity to tell the Lord we are sorry and to receive the forgiveness He longs to give us.
Ponder:
Am I suffering from the consequences of a mortal sin? Do I need to receive the sacrament of Confession?
Pray:
Lord, help me to recognize when my soul is ailing in sin. Give me the courage and strength to bring my faults to Confession so that I may be forgiven and move forward in faith.
Pray Together:
Prayerfully go through an examination of conscience with your family. After everyone has reflected on their sins, take a family trip to Confession to seek the healing that only Our Lord’s forgiveness can give us.
Copyright 2026 Katie Fitzgerald
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