Sometimes the world can look like a rather grim and bleak place. Why do people die, especially in early or tragic circumstances? We might be tempted to have a pessimistic view of life - and maybe a negative view of God. But Wisdom is loud and clear: creation is good; we ourselves are created in God's image and are destined for immortality. Death itself is an illusion, for it is only part of the picture. Most of the negativity we see in the world is of human origin. We can joyfully affirm that life has meaning and that God intends only good for us. God is definitely for us, not against us.

In a time when the ill or crippled were considered punished by God, he crossed boundaries - prejudices, fears, and social roles - to bring wholeness and restoration to those who suffer. He did not feel defiled or impure by the touch of the woman with a flow of blood or by contact with the dead girl, even though this violated the purity rules. By His actions, He showed that God does not care about our fears and prejudices, for love is universal and unconditional. He restored both the physical wholeness and the dignity of all those who approached Him. He also affirmed that God intends for us to have life abundantly, both in this world and the next. When we reach out to those who are rejected or shunned by others, such as AIDS sufferers or the homeless, we are continuing the healing work of Jesus. The only barriers and limits to love are in our minds and hearts.