Church as Hospital
By Fr. Demetrios Swanson | Resident Priest, Project Mexico
Why Ideas Matter
The imagery of the Church as a hospital is beautiful, helpful, and true. What we believe or think very quickly becomes what we do, which is why ideas are important. Which is why good theology is important. So yes, the Church is, among other things, a hospital. A place we go to heal.
The Hidden Healing Language of Faith
Someone told me recently that the word "salvation" is related to the Latin "salve" which dictionaries define as "an analgesic or medical ointment." Even in the roots of the word "salvation," there is the idea of healing. Similarly, the Greek word "mercy" is "eleos" which is connected with the Greek word "elaion" meaning olive oil, the biblical and historical substance used for healing and wellness.
"Lord have mercy" in Greek sounds like "Lord, anoint me with healing oil." Lots of hidden healing language. This reality of healing in the Church is important when understanding the sacrament of confession, which is a sacrament of healing, not something legalistic.
Still Becoming, Still Healing
As long as we are in this life we are still becoming. We are still healing, becoming stronger, cleaner. Confession is that time in the hospital when the wound is treated, cleaned, and bandaged. And then the doctor explains how to take care of the wound and avoid further injury.
Deep Healing in Baja California
There is deep healing happening here in Baja California, Mexico, by God's grace. This Lent, two other adults and I took seven middle school boys from the orphanage on a spiritual retreat in the Tecate desert. The theme was "Gratitude" and we kept repeating throughout the weekend, "Gracias a Dios", especially for some reason while playing mini-golf.
One evening beside the light of the campfire and beneath the bright stars each of the seven boys sat next to me to say their confession. During the summer homebuilding season, there are many Saturday nights when a handful of priests hear confessions after vespers, sometimes going until midnight.
Every week I receive messages: "Father, can I do confession this week?" Glory to God.
A Measure of Parish Health
A few years ago, a respected older priest was asked how the success of a parish could be measured. He thought about it a long time and then confidently said, "by the proportion of its people that regularly go to confession."
Because the Church is a hospital.