[Apologetics] Fwd: Re: Healing Mass

[Dianne Dawson]

This past Saturday our pastor, Fr Richard Harris, celebrated a Mass of Healing with the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick offered to anyone in need of it.  His homily (like all his homilies) was wonderful and very thought provoking.  I wanted to share it with everyone.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
   
  Dianne
  
 
     
  The Readings were:
  Isaiah 40: 1-11
  2 Corinthians 12: 7-10
  Matthew 11: 2-6
   
  ADVENT ANOINTING OF THE SICK - 2006 - Matthew 11: 2 
  
 Did you notice the first line from today’s gospel? “When John the Baptist heard IN THE  PRISON of the works of Christ.” (R)  John the Baptist is sitting in jail...facing an uncertain future, (as does anyone who is in prison) AND...even in jail..in a Roman dungeon... he somehow hears of the great and miraculous works of Jesus Christ. He hears that: “The blind regain  their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear and the dead are raised.”  
 Believe it or not, a prison cell is not such a bad picture for us to focus on for a Mass of Anointing of the Sick. Think with me for just a moment.  In jail, one waits, hopes, does various unessential things, AND is completely dependent upon the fact that the door to freedom has to be opened from the outside.  Is that not the case for those who are sick and burdened from illness or advanced age...waiting, hoping and dependent?  The door needs to be opened from the outside.
 How many of us here today, sit in our own prison cell?  The cell of our own frailty, our illnesses, diseases...the cells of hopelessness, helplessness, loneliness, heartache...the prison cells that we sit in because someone we love is hurting or dying and we are helpless in saving them.  And WE, TOO  LOOK for signs that someone is coming who will unlock the door so that we/they  might walk in the light of day and live a long, happy life of freedom.  We look for that miracle...that glimmer of hope....as did John in our Gospel. We cry out, “Is there anyone out there who can change this situation?”  And that can be alright.  After all,  John had witnessed the Baptism of Jesus...John had heard the words, ‘This is my beloved Son... and still,  from his prison cell....he wondered “IS HE THE ONE”....and maybe he was even hoping that Jesus would liberate him from his prison.  If only he had a sign that Jesus was there.  If ONLY WE had a sign that Jesus heard our cry of
 pain and anguish.
     Today, you have come to receive THAT SIGN...the sign that God offers to everyone who sits in a prison cell.  The  sign is JESUS HIMSELF.  Today he reveals himself in a special way through this Anointing of the Sick.  He offers himself to you in the laying on of hands and in the Holy Oil of Healing.  This is the SIGN you seek.  This is that miracle ...that glimmer of hope. And let us constantly remind ourselves THIS SACRAMENT NEVER FAILS.  We are either HEALED or we are either CURED.  When someone is healed he/she is restored to both physical, spiritual and mental health - a healing of  the WHOLE PERSON, so that they can return to the world and complete the work which God has given them to do.  When someone is CURED, he is given the spiritual strength and grace to accept that his work is completed on earth, to be released from their prison and now return to the Father.  NO matter what... the door to our cell is opened....and we, the captives are set free.
 This Sacrament that you will receive in just a few moments....symbolizes YOUR TOTAL TRUST that Jesus “IS THE ONE.”  The  laying on of the hands from the priest, the touch of the oil on our forehead, the placing of the oil in the palms of your hands....WILL BE YOUR MOMENT when God in his infinite love reaches out TO YOU... and to you alone.....and with the warmth of  HIS touch, the gentleness of  HIS voice says, whispers ever-so gentle,
“Be healed....be cured for the door to YOUR freedom has now been opened....” 




Like a deer that longs for running waters so my soul longs for you, O God.

Ps 42:1
 
 



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