Healing and Forgiveness

I attended my first healing mass, and I thank God that I was given the opportunity to do so.

The healing mass was supposed to be a venue for the Anointing of the Sick, but what I learned (or shall I say re-learned) was that this Holy Sacrament can be given to anyone who feels he has physical, moral, spiritual, emotional illnesses. Three lessons that I learned, as perfectly relayed by Monsignor:

1. Healing is related to Forgiveness.

Healing is related to forgiveness in a sense that we are healed when we are also forgiven. All our illnesses are directly or indirectly connected with our sins (or the sins of the world), and when we are forgiven, not only is our spiritual nature healed, but in some way, our physical selves feel a "lightening of being." I don't know how else I should describe it, but don't you feel light hearted when you know that your faults are forgiven?

2. Jesus heals and forgives because He has compassion.

Truly Jesus Christ embodies what it is to be a compassionate human being. When I reflected on these words, I realised that we too can forgive others, and help in healing people, by simply being compassionate towards them. Any deed that we do for our neighbours, translates to an act of love and compassion that brings about their own healing.

3. God always heals and forgives, but are we willing to be healed and to be forgiven?

There is no doubt that God is love, God is merciful, God is forgiving. However, the words of Monsignor made sense when he asked "how willing are we to be forgiven, to be healed?" Yes, we do ask for forgiveness, and most certainly there are those days when we asked to be healed from our illnesses. Yet, how open are we to God's healing love and compassion? Is our openness unconditional, or do we only open ourselves up to a point?

I have countless ailments inside of me: physical, emotional, and spiritual, and have always asked Jesus to save me, to forgive me, and to heal my soul for me to be at peace. Often times when things seem to be too much, I tend to lose hope and shut the door. Yet, time and time again, God puts me in places and gives me opportunities to remind me of Love, Life, and Happiness. I need to be more open to God's healing grace, and let His will be done. I need to remind myself as well that all the crosses I bear create opportunities for me to be a true Child of God.


Photo credits: Crossover Media