DAILY HOMILIES #healing

For thirty-eight years the man remained there “hoping against hope” that one day, he would enter the pool before anyone else. You may have been trying unsuccessfully to overcome the same sin. Don’t give up. You may have failed countless times but let your answer to Jesus’ question remain: “Yes, I want to be healed.”

No matter how angry you are, there is always a way to communicate your pain without regretting later. This skill is called emotional intelligence. It begins by learning to listen deeply to others.

How often do I use my ears to listen to God’s word and my mouth to proclaim that word of God? Could it be that I am spiritually deaf and dumb? Do I find it difficult to defend my faith when the occasion arises?

God dwells in a special way in the temple. That is why Jesus would go to the temple to drive out the money changers saying: “My House (that is, God’s dwelling place) shall be a house of prayer…” (Matthew 21:13).

How often have I driven God out of my workplace? How often have I gotten angry with people for daring to mention God in my business transactions?

Physical healing is always a consequence of spiritual healing; healing from within. Sin is a wound that must be treated first so as to allow physical healing to take place.

Repentance brings healing. Repentance is saying “No” to the devil so as to allow God to come into your life and where God is, sickness, disease, stagnation, demonic possession etc. cannot remain

Let us not be like stubborn sheep refusing to follow the shepherd back to the fold. No matter how sweet sin is, it is never sweeter than righteousness.

Like this man, God wants to heal you this advent. Begin by going for confession.

Regardless of where we go in search of healing who prays for us, let us always remember that it is our Faith in Jesus Christ that brought about the healing. And Jesus alone deserves our praise, honor, and glory

While Ezra, the priest prayed for the people during the evening sacrifice with torn garments (symbolising contrition just like the people of Nineveh did), the twelve disciples are sent to various towns and villages to evangelise. This shows us that ministry involves an active prayer life on one hand and the daily interaction with the people

Even the very act of narrating your own sins forces you to look inwards. Healing begins by admitting your faults and recognizing there are areas you need to work on to become a better person.