mass healing
"If the prophet had told you to do something extraordinary, would you not have done it?" —2 Kings 5:13
Doctors often must prescribe difficult treatments: grueling physical therapy, radiation and chemotherapy, special diets, etc. People who want to be healed will follow the doctor's treatment. The Catholic Church offers several seemingly simple ways to be healed: Confession, the Mass, the Eucharist, daily Scripture reading, the Sacrament of the Sick. Despite this simplicity and seeming ease of access, the lines at Confession are usually not long. It's generally easy to find a seat at Sunday Mass.
Therefore, based on Catholic demand for healing, one of three conclusions could be drawn:
- Most Catholics are spiritually healthy and do not need healing. When nearly half of Catholic marriages end in divorce, it's safe to say many Catholic families are hurting and this conclusion is unlikely.
- Most Catholics don't realize that their Church has an extensive healing program through the Mass and Sacraments. They do not know that the Father is their Healer (Hos 11:4). However, most Catholics have at least heard of the Sacraments of the Sick and of Reconcilation.
- Many Catholics in need of healing lack the humility to avail themselves of the Church's ordinary means. This conclusion is most likely the correct one.
Therefore, humble yourself before the Lord (Jas 4:10). Cast all your cares on Him, because He cares for you (1 Pt 5:7). Let Jesus, the Divine Physician (Mt 9:12), heal you and love you.
Prayer: Father, may I come to You in Your Church's sacraments for healing even before I go to the doctor. My trust is in You.
Promise: "His flesh became again like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean." —2 Kgs 5:14
Praise: Out of love and solidarity for the poor, St. Casimir lived a simple lifestyle, very rare for a prince.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, September 13, 2012
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