Seeking Out the Divine Physician

Details: 11 March 2011

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.