Sharing: Time Talent Treasure
HEALING
No one needs Webster to define the meaning of the word healing. Each one of us can recognize the longing for it within ourselves. Some wish to heal physically, or morally, or mentally, spiritually, in a relationship, and so on. The need for healing is powerful if it is not present and equally powerful when it is. As soon as we are born, our physical need for a healing, while not understood, is communicated powerfully with a cry. As toddlers as soon as we have learned to communicate with another, even without language, we need a healing touch for our „boo boo‟ in order to make us better. Thousands have travelled miles and miles, spent a great deal of money, and prayed for healing at a sacred site, such as Lourdes. Often one goes to these sites for a physical healing but comes home with a spiritual healing never anticipated. Healing comes in many forms and in many ways. Sometimes we can receive healing from another and at others times to receive healing, one must initiate the healing process him/her self. A new year’s beginning is often the only time one takes time to reflect on this aspect of life.
“With God all things are possible.” How grateful and thankful we should be to be one of those chosen and given the gift of faith. We know that the ministry of Christ was a healing ministry. Jesus healed the sick and dying. He healed those whose spiritual need was weak. He healed with forgiveness. He taught us about His Father and our need to listen to Him and follow His way of life–to love Him above all else and to love one another as He loves us. And the Church continues this healing ministry in many ways. Our Catholic „professionals„ such as doctors, nurses, educators, priests, nuns, hospice, hospital workers, caregivers of all kinds, continue every day to minister to the poor or sick, be it physical, mental, moral, or spiritual. Before one can be declared a saint, there has to be proof of healing miracles.
Every sin has its consequences, no matter how small or serious. It disrupts our communication with God and often each other. It weakens our ability to deal with these consequences. Jesus knew this and preached constantly about the forgiveness of God. “We cannot speak about life in Christ or the moral life without acknowledging the reality of sin, our own sinfulness, and our need for God‟s mercy .”*
God in His creative genius recognizes our humanity, its strengths and weaknesses, our ability to endure, our need to cry out when we can take no more. He gave us pain as a warning. He gave us sleep to heal and rest. He gave us a moral compass which we may or may not follow. He gave us beauty and love to satisfy our needs emotionally. He taught us to forgive. He gave us reason to figure it all out. He gave us the Sacrament of reconciliation. He gave us His life of love and sacrifice. There is no pain or emotion that we feel that Jesus did not feel when He lived among us. He felt joy. He felt alone. He knew friendship. He felt betrayal. When Jesus needed help and healing, He prayed to the Father. Let this be the year that we too learn to take our needs to the Father, no matter their origin. “For nothing is impossible for God.” Let this be our year to heal. And as we go on this journey, remember to take along our Lord.
Stewardship Questions: Kathy Reilly 781-444-0862 e-mail: kreilly15@yahoo.com
If you need a ride to church services or a home visit or Communion, please contact me.
* The Catechism
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Stewardship: A Way of Life
Sharing: Time Talent Treasure
HEALING
No one needs Webster to define the meaning of the word healing. Each one of us can recognize the longing for it within ourselves. Some wish to heal physically, or morally, or mentally, spiritually, in a relationship, and so on. The need for healing is powerful if it is not present and equally powerful when it is. As soon as we are born, our physical need for a healing, while not understood, is communicated powerfully with a cry. As toddlers as soon as we have learned to communicate with another, even without language, we need a healing touch for our „boo boo‟ in order to make us better. Thousands have travelled miles and miles, spent a great deal of money, and prayed for healing at a sacred site, such as Lourdes. Often one goes to these sites for a physical healing but comes home with a spiritual healing never anticipated. Healing comes in many forms and in many ways. Sometimes we can receive healing from another and at others times to receive healing, one must initiate the healing process him/her self. A new year’s beginning is often the only time one takes time to reflect on this aspect of life.
“With God all things are possible.” How grateful and thankful we should be to be one of those chosen and given the gift of faith. We know that the ministry of Christ was a healing ministry. Jesus healed the sick and dying. He healed those whose spiritual need was weak. He healed with forgiveness. He taught us about His Father and our need to listen to Him and follow His way of life–to love Him above all else and to love one another as He loves us. And the Church continues this healing ministry in many ways. Our Catholic „professionals„ such as doctors, nurses, educators, priests, nuns, hospice, hospital workers, caregivers of all kinds, continue every day to minister to the poor or sick, be it physical, mental, moral, or spiritual. Before one can be declared a saint, there has to be proof of healing miracles.
Every sin has its consequences, no matter how small or serious. It disrupts our communication with God and often each other. It weakens our ability to deal with these consequences. Jesus knew this and preached constantly about the forgiveness of God. “We cannot speak about life in Christ or the moral life without acknowledging the reality of sin, our own sinfulness, and our need for God‟s mercy .”*
God in His creative genius recognizes our humanity, its strengths and weaknesses, our ability to endure, our need to cry out when we can take no more. He gave us pain as a warning. He gave us sleep to heal and rest. He gave us a moral compass which we may or may not follow. He gave us beauty and love to satisfy our needs emotionally. He taught us to forgive. He gave us reason to figure it all out. He gave us the Sacrament of reconciliation. He gave us His life of love and sacrifice. There is no pain or emotion that we feel that Jesus did not feel when He lived among us. He felt joy. He felt alone. He knew friendship. He felt betrayal. When Jesus needed help and healing, He prayed to the Father. Let this be the year that we too learn to take our needs to the Father, no matter their origin. “For nothing is impossible for God.” Let this be our year to heal. And as we go on this journey, remember to take along our Lord.
Stewardship Questions: Kathy Reilly 781-444-0862 e-mail: kreilly15@yahoo.com
If you need a ride to church services or a home visit or Communion, please contact me.
* The Catechism