The many ways of healing

There is no doubt about it: healing is in vogue. But who, what, where, when, how and why are all questions that can be asked. Do George and Prudence and their two teenagers living in upmarket Sandton need healing? She goes to the monthly healing Mass at the parish. Does Rose need healing? She is a single mom abandoned by her latest boyfriend by whom she was infected with HIV. She goes to the archdiocesan healing Mass with 1000 others. Does Norman need healing? It is three months since his estranged wife shot and killed their two children. He hasn’t been to church since the funeral.

“When having been prayed over, I have felt good, but I can’t say that I have experienced healing in some very specific way. ” (CNS photo/Greg Bryan, pool via Arizona Daily Star)

So many more examples can be given of all kinds of family situations, relationship issues, medical or psychological issues with addictions being a major concern too. What is the role of spiritual healing from situations that involve the devil and evil spirits in these cases?

Out of interest, and also because of a personal concern, I attended some seminars and did some reading up on the subject. Healing is clearly provided through western medicine and—some believe while others are sceptical—through traditional healing using herbs too.

Psychological conditions like depression, anxiety as well as psychosomatic pain can be treated by professionals of various kinds, hopefully resulting in healing too.

I have never been quite sure what to expect at a healing Mass or service. We go because we somehow feel a need. When having been prayed over, I have felt good, but I can’t say that I have experienced healing in some very specific way.

I think many people would say the same. There are others who do report genuine experiences of physical healing after prayer and laying on of hands at a Mass or other healing service. Others experience a sense of consolation.

Healing of relationships is part of family ministry, and probably a fairly neglected part. It is recognised that most marriages experience pain and conflict at least some of the time. A programme that can address issues, teach communication, relationship skills, and promote the spiritual life—like taking medicine—can lead to healing.

With a particular youth focus for the month of June, it is recognised that parent-teen relationships often require attention. The stresses and strains of normal development are often exacerbated by the complexity of modern living with issues of rebelliousness, bad friends, intolerance, abuse and violence and poor communication skills.

Regular faith-sharing in families around the more minor issues is a simple start towards healing. Counselling with a family focus, as is described in the current issue of Family Matters magazine, is a valuable resource.  Satanism, satanic worship and rituals by young people at schools and universities have featured in the news quite prominently and their families are right to have a concern there.

Release from an involvement in the occult might require some intervention by those with the necessary competence in such a ministry. Most Catholics are not well informed on this whole question, something to be addressed urgently, too.

Healing or deliverance ministries exist, some in charismatic prayer groups where lay people are more involved than priests. These should be overseen by the local priest but be allowed to grow and be recognised. Exorcism on a deeper level must be done by a priest designated by the bishop.

The gospels have many accounts of Jesus healing people. These are often associated with forgiving sins and are a sign of the Kingdom of God. Healing doubtless still happens today, but what is required too is faith in the power of God to heal, as well as commitment to the process, prayer and sacrifice.

As was well expressed in the Healing and Deliverance seminar I attended, the healing ministry is a ministry of love. Healing of families in any form is a work of love too.

It may be “Healing the Family Tree” from inherited weaknesses and faults, or healing of current relationships within the nuclear or extended family or personal physical, psychological or spiritual healing.

Whatever form this healing process takes, if it is supported by the love inherent in family life and if through prayer the needs are brought to God, it can be a powerful way to build up the Body of Christ, the Church as Family of God.