People suffering from physical and
emotional problems look to physicians or counselors to relieve them of their
pain. They want to experience the good news that they are healed. Why not
evangelize them with the Good News of Jesus, the Divine Physician? Jesus
healed the blind, the lame, and the lepers who went to Him with faith (see
Mt. 15:30).
To those who suffer, we can proclaim the Good News
of Jesus’ love for them and His desire for their happiness. We can pray with
them, asking Jesus to heal their illnesses. At Mass Jesus comes to us in the
Eucharist. We can take people to Mass where they can experience Jesus
healing their hearts, their souls, and even their bodies.
A special Healing Mass is celebrated quarterly at
Blessed John XXIII Diocesan Center in Lincoln. People gather to pray for
each other and to request Jesus’ healing touch. The prayers and Scriptural
readings bring clarity and understanding. The touch of Jesus experienced
during the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick brings His strength and
assurance. The consecration of the Eucharist and the reception of Holy
Communion bring Jesus’ sacramental Presence. People then can invite Him into
the very source and place of their pain so that He might heal and comfort
them.
At the Mass the congregation has the opportunity
to call out to Jesus for healing infirmities. Jesus comforts and strengthens
them. They leave the Chapel revived in faith and filled with joy from the
powerful union of love with Jesus. Some physical healings may occur, or
begin to occur, at Mass. Many feel a deep inner spiritual and emotional
healing, which increases their faith in Jesus.
The Eucharist is exposed in the monstrance
following Mass. A priest slowly processes with the Blessed Sacrament around
the church, during which prayers for healing of a wide variety of physical,
emotional, and spiritual ailments are recited, directing God’s healing grace
to peoples’ specific needs. Those in the pews gaze at the humble loveliness
of the Lord Jesus and often sense His peace entering into their hearts.
Benediction provides participants with a profound blessing by Jesus as He
pours out His powerful love. Gentle music, along with the sweet harmony of
people softly chanting in tongues at a few key moments, brings the
participants a soothing sense of Jesus’ consolation.
After Mass the St. Benedict prayer group, which
sponsors the Healing Masses, hands out blessed water and salt for people to
use in their homes, cars and offices, as well as at their meals. When used
in faith, these sacramentals help people pray for God to remove demons, heal
illnesses, and bring the peace of the Holy Spirit into their lives.
If we want to spread the Good News of Jesus to
family and friends, we can take them to a Healing Mass and help them to ask
Jesus to heal any and all wounds and pains they have. Jesus is waiting to
heal, comfort and encourage them. The Mass brings them into closer contact
with Jesus, the Divine Physician, Who dearly loves them and wishes to unite
Himself more intimately with them.
The next Healing Mass is scheduled for Sunday, March 13, from 1 to 3 p.m.
at Blessed John XXIII Diocesan Center, 37th & Sheridan Blvd.,
Lincoln. All are welcome.