"Jesus said, ' Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are ill. ' The current round of cut-backs in health care is hurting those who need care the most!" Saint Mark 2:17
"In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts of the Apostles 20:35
Class structure existed two thousand years ago and it still exists today. Jesus knew that there was plenty of help for those who were doing both financially and physically well, but the poor, who are more often ill, in comparison to the wealthy were in greater need of assistance.
In this day and age of government fiscal cutbacks the words that Jesus spoke still rings true. Those who are in need health services, but are unable to afford the extra costs, must be cared for and this has generated a great debate over the fairness of a universal health care system. Society benefits as a whole when all of the people are provided for equally in the treatment of their illnesses.
Saint Paul, who was heavily influenced by Saint Luke the Physician, implores us to be just like Jesus, who demonstrated care for the less fortunate. It is true that some think that we create problems in our social structures by allowing people to receive services for health and welfare without necessarily having paid into the system. In essence, having the taxpayer foot the bill for the ones who can't pay for goods and services.
But such criticism is short sighted. Telling people that they must fend for themselves will create a larger problem in the future. Human instinct will kick in and survival will take on an ugly characteristic. Thievery and violence will rise and the great chasm between rich and poor will grow even wider.
Society is worse off when parents can't feed their children or take then to the hospital for medical treatment. Some people tell us that we must only be concerned about ourselves. They tell us that it's a "Dog eat dog world".
However, I believe that we must look beyond personal gain into a world that is compassionate. Jesus told us then, and He tells us now, that our efforts should be focused on the sick and not the well. Physicians of Christ seek a compassionate society. Any cost is acceptable in service to the poor. Jesus tells us that people who consider themselves compassionate and loving, no matter what their financial status, will accept His challenge to care for all people, especially the poor.
"Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience," Saint Paul's Epistle to the Colossians 3:12
End.
Part of the originally entitled: Journal Three - Pauline Christianity From a Section called "As an Exercise In Rhetoric take the Following Topic And Turn It Into a Speech"
submitted to the Rev. Dr. William Cantelon as a Master of Theological Studies course requirement for 505E - Introduction to Christian Scriptures St. Stephen's Theological College University of Alberta Published on February 24th, 1999 {Revised August 22nd, 2024}
© Dr. Charles Warner 2024
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