Sunday Reflection by Fr. John

This past week, we learn more deeply that the Lord has created us out of love and for life. He sent His own Son so we might live life to its fullest. The Lord promises us, through the Psalmist, that we are chosen to be His own and He is our help. We hear this through these words proclaimed this past Monday, the 21st of June: Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own. Our soul waits for the LORD, who is our help and our shield (Psalm 33: 12, 20).
And, on Friday, June 25th, we discover that as the Father in Heaven creates us, Jesus recreates us and heals us, done according to His Will: When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I will do it. Be made clean.” (Mark 8: 1-3).

Jesus is the Divine Son of a Personal God, Who reaches out to us and touches us to be restored in newness of life. His healing personal touch restores our loved ones to life-giving ways not always understood by us when they, perhaps are seriously ill, and are restored through admittance to eternal life or brought back to wholeness of life on this earth. On Saturday, June 26th we hear about the Lord’s healing presence in and around the house of Peter: Jesus entered the house of Peter, and saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand, the fever left her, and she rose and waited on him. When it was evening, they brought him many who were possessed by demons, and he drove out the spirits by a word and cured all the sick (Mark 8: 14-16).

Faith and trust in Jesus can renew us through recreation and restore us to life physically, mentally, and spiritually: This past Sunday (June 27th ), we understand that faith and trust opens the heavens so the divine can touch down on earth and take us by the hand and give us new life: “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.” (Mark 5:23). [Then those from the official’s house came and said] “Your daughter has died . . . Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.”  (Mark 5: 35-36).[When he arrived at the official’s house], He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,”which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded (Mark 5: 41-42).

“Talitha koum,”  Little one, I say to you arise, are spoken by Jesus, which includes the word  “arise” later used by Mark about Jesus’ own Resurrection. The Lord wants us, His children, us vulnerable “little ones” to have faith in Him and His Son who is the Resurrection and the Life. He wants us to enter into His very own Paschal Mystery (the passion, death, and resurrection of His Son) to renew and recreate life out of our challenges, pain and our sufferings. As we trust in the Lord’s goodness and are in awe of His merciful and compassionate ways, we have faith in His protection of His creation. As we know of His love for us and His Will to give us life . . . Let us embrace His personal covenant with us and ask Jesus to heal us by restoring us to life and to help us be life giving to others. In our brokenness, in our sufferings, in our woundedness . . .  We pray, Lord, Heal us!

Healing Prayer

Healing river of the Spirit, bathe the wounds that living brings. Plunge our pain, our sin, our sadness deep within Your sacred springs. Weary from the restless searching that has lured us from your side, we discover in Your presence peace that world cannot provide.
Wellspring of the healing Spirit, stream that flows to bring release, as we gain ourselves, our senses, may our lives reflect your peace. Grateful for the flood that heals us, may your Church enact your grace. As we meet both friend and stranger, may we see our Savior's face.
Lord God, our beloved, Father, I know You are the Creator of all things and bring all things to goodness. I know and believe that You Sent Your Son, the Resurrection and the Life, to recreate us so we may remain in Your image. You created me and know my every need (Psalm 139:14-16). My heart is full of desires for healing, and today, I come before You and I trust You completely with those desires. Open my eyes to see the healing that You are already working within my life and the lives of my loved ones. You work in mighty ways, and I pray that Your Healing love, Your Holy Spirit would be at work bringing all those that I pray for to wholeness of health in mind, body and Spirit. I pray this through Jesus Christ, Your Son. Amen