Tag Archives: healing

More than our physical bodies

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Bilal Mirza
House Sparrows in Pakistan, 2008

Jesus said, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” Matthew 10:28

We are free to follow Jesus, to do God’s will of love and peace, to speak out against injustice, greed, racism, war, and all that discounts the preciousness of human life in every form.

We are more than our physical bodies. We are the light of God’s love in our hurting, fragile world. We are the voice of God’s peace, kindness, and reconciliation. We are the presence of God’s comfort and healing.

By the resurrection of Jesus, we know that life does not end with death. We have nothing to fear by following him on the way of love.

Today I will sit quietly and observe the sensations in my body. Because I can watch moment-to-moment physical changes happen, I will know I am greater than this fragile human body. I will ask the Lord to teach me the truth of who I am.

The authority to heal

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Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859-1937)
Disciples Healing the Sick
oil on cardboard, ca.1930
Clark Atlanta University Art Galleries

Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples
and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. Matthew 10:1

When we examine our lives in the light of God’s love, we become aware of the parts of our beings that have been made unclean by our mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual wounds.

When we accept the authority Jesus gives us to cleanse our personal darkness, we find that we become lighter, kinder, more loving, more ready to reconcile with those who have hurt us and those we have hurt, and be at peace. Our personal healing has a tremendous power for good in our suffering world.

Today I will ask the Lord for the faith to accept the authority to cleanse myself of anything that prevents me from loving God, myself, and my neighbor. I will ask the Holy Spirit to guide me as I seek to become an active healer in and for our world.

Graced by hope

João Cautela Lighting from the Heart, 2011 “With all the lights in the world turning off, I’m hoping the ones in our hearts keep lighting forever..”

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement and good hope through his grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

When I put my hope in God’s enduring presence, when I allow myself to receive God’s love in its many, diverse forms, when I keep God in the center of my life, I am strengthened to live each day with courage and trust in God’s compassion.

Today I will let God’s love heal my sorrowing heart. I know God is with me in every moment and helps me through difficult times of pain and suffering.

Make me clean

Christ and the Leper
Mosaic in Monreale

“[Jesus,] if you wish, you can make me clean.”
Mark 1:40b

Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean of resentment, selfishness, racism, low self-esteem, disdain, and fear.

Bless me, Lord. FIll me with your joy.

Looking for Jesus

James Tissot (1836-1902)
The Healing of Peter’s Mother-in-law (La guérison de la belle-mère de Pierre)
Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, 1886-1894
Brooklyn Museum

Simon and those who were with him pursued [Jesus] and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” Mark 1:36-37

Let me look for Jesus in the eyes and hearts of those I encounter, in the pain I’m suffering, in the suffering of others, in distant or close companionship, in the quiet of prayer, in the holy scriptures.

Lord, let me trust I will find you.

Clean and whole

Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669)
Jesus heals a leper
Pen and ink drawing, c. 1650-1655
Amsterdam, Rijksprentenkabinet

So much conspires to tell me I am an outcast in this society: unemployment, chronic headaches, overwhelming fatigue, and the ever-accelerating pace and stress of modern life when what I crave is time—time to go slowly, to rest, listen, and discern God’s will for me.

When I become aware that I am feeling ashamed of who I am, I pray to be reunited with the unconditional love and compassion that is my birthright. The Lord is always willing to touch me and make me whole again.

A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.”

Healing comfort

Faith in God’s love, compassion, and constant, kindly presence empowers me to comfort those who are frightened, ill, lost, homeless, hungry, at risk, angry,  depressed, or in mourning.

Comfort calms and renews hope. It is a gift that heals.

Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Isaiah 40:1

Healing thanks

Codex Aureus Epternacensis Cleansing of the ten lepers, ca.1035-1040

Codex Aureus Epternacensis
Cleansing of the ten lepers, ca.1035-1040

I am not always quick to realize a bit of healing has happened to me. It might be a lessening of anxiety, or a comforting word from a friend, or a few moments when I am quiet and not pushing to do something, or a letting go of comparing my way of life to that of others.

Today I will reflect on healing I have experienced and take some time to thank the Lord.

And one of [the ten lepers], realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. Luke 17:15-16a

Focus on Compassion

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890_ Der barmherzige Samariter (nach Delacroix) Saint-Rémy, May 1890 oil on canvas Kröller-Müller Museum

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890)
Der barmherzige Samariter (nach Delacroix)
Saint-Rémy, May 1890
oil on canvas
Kröller-Müller Museum

The focus of the parable of the Good Samaritan is not on the robbers who beat the traveler and left him half-dead. It is not on the indifferent, fearful priest and Levite.

Jesus puts our attention on the Samaritan who, out of compassion for the injured traveler, stopped and helped, and went out of his way to do what he could to aid the recovery of the wounded person.

Today I will put my attention and energy on showing compassion to those in need. I will keep my focus on  manifesting the mercy of God with my thoughts, words, and actions. I will not make idols of the violence, indifference, and fear that plague our world.

[Jesus replied,] “Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” [The scholar of the law] answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Luke 10:36-37

 

Empowered to love

Gustave Doré (1832-1883) The Fall of Satan Illustration for John Milton’s “Paradise Lost“ engraving, 1866

Gustave Doré (1832-1883)
The Fall of Satan
Illustration for John Milton’s “Paradise Lost“
engraving, 1866

God’s Spirit of love gives me the power to practice patience with those who aggravate me, visit someone who is lonely or ill, give food and clothing to those in need.

God’s Spirit of love gives me the power to say no to injustice, speak out against racism and prejudice,  practice simple living in a society where money and possessions have become more important than integrity, humility, and kindness.

God’s Spirit of love gives me the power to be a willing servant  of God’s mercy, compassion, and forgiveness as I go about my daily responsibilities.

Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky.  Behold, I have given you the power to ‘tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:18-20