Interior freedom and healing can seem unattainable to achieve. However, in order for one to obtain interior freedom and healing one must be able to separate the appetites from the behaviors. The only way one is truly able to obtain interior freedom and healing is by living in the present, discovering and relying in hope, and resting in the love of Jesus through His Eucharistic amazement.
First, one must be able to live in the present and not in the past in order to obtain interior freedom and healing. Live in the now and allow God to heal. Jacques Philippe author of Interior Freedom, writes, “One of the essential conditions of interior freedom is the ability to live in the present moment.”(81).This explains that if one constantly lives in the past or tries to live in the future the interior freedom of that person is violated, thus not allowing one to achieve interior freedom and healing. Philippe also writes, “The only free act we can make in regard to the past is to accept it just as it was and leave it trustingly in God’s hands.”(81). From this, one sees acceptance of what has happened in the past as a means to the first step in trusting in the Lord. Thus by living in the present moment, one has the ability to obtain interior freedom and healing.
Second, one needs to discover and rely in hope as a means of obtaining interior freedom and healing. Philippe explains, “Hope, likewise, is not vague and dreamy, but confidence in the faithfulness of God who will fulfill his promises – confidence that gives us great strength.”(94). This explains that hope is confidence in the faithfulness of God with His promises which gives one the ability to discover interior freedom and healing. Pope Benedict XVI writes in his Encyclical letter Spe Salvi (Saved in Hope), “Who more than Mary could be a star of hope for us? With her “yes” she opened the door of our world to God himself; she became the living Ark of the Covenant, in whom God took flesh, became one of us, and pitched his tent among us (cf. Jn 1:14). ” (49). This explains that Mary is the example of hope for man. With her “yes,” she showed man how to rely in hope, which is the true faithfulness of God and in His will. From this it is clear to see by discovering and relying in hope that one obtains interior freedom and healing.
Finally, resting in Jesus’ Eucharistic amazement, one will have interior freedom and healing. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “Jesus awaits us in this sacrament of love. Let us not refuse the time to go to meet him in adoration, in contemplation full of faith, and open to making amends for the serious offenses and crimes of the world. Let our adoration never cease”. (1380). This explains that Jesus is just waiting for one to rest in His love, so that He can give His Eucharist amazement. Kathleen Beckman author of Rekindle Eucharistic Amazement shares, “Resting in the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus brings about revival and Hope.”(35). This affirms that Jesus in the Eucharist will be ones rest in hope and allows one to experience interior freedom and healing .This confirms that resting in Jesus through Eucharistic amazement will allow interior freedom and healing.
The Lord really works in mysterious ways. I never would have imagined myself jumping in to the abyss of lies. This abyss had totally overtaken my interior freedom. I had good days and bad ones, especially when I had people asking how I was doing. It ate me up inside and I found myself going deeper in the void of lies. It was not until; healing took place on Born of the Spirit retreat which allowed me to give up of living in the past, discovered and relied in hope, and rested in Jesus’ Eucharistic amazement. Tuesday’s class affirmed all the components which I had experienced and to gain interior freedom and healing. Thank you Lord, you are so good to me. Amen.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
Theology of Healing: Jesus Redeemer, Brother, and Healer
The deeper one comes to know Jesus; the deeper one is moved from believer to beloved. This faith is seen with new eyes: no longer death, but alive, no longer blind, but seeing crystal clear, and no longer slave, but adopted brethren. Jesus calls man to be saved, to be in communion, and healed.
First, one must know Jesus as Redeemer. It is through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection one is redeemed. It is through God’s mercy He gave His only son to heal man of sin, and then heal man of sickness and of physical suffering if He wills it. Francis MacNutt author of Healing writes, “Jesus healed those whose spirits were sick and needed deliverance or forgiveness; he also healed those whose bodies were lame, blind, and leprous.”(50). This quote explains that Jesus must heal man from sin first, and then heal man from sickness. It is God’s love which allows man to run back to Him through His son. MacNutt continues, “He came to save people, not just souls. He came to help the suffering in whatever way they were suffering.” (50). This quote explains that Jesus came for all people to save them from this kingdom and to free them in His Kingdom. This affirms Jesus as Redeemer, who calls man to be saved out of love.
Next, one must know Jesus as Brother, best friend, and any way which allows one to encounter Jesus present in man’s life. Through the Eucharist man shares in a communion with Jesus as He is physically. Therefore, to know Jesus in the Eucharist is the fastest and most fitting way of being with Him. Kathleen Beckman author of Rekindle Eucharistic Amazement shares, “The Lord is concerned with every part of our lives!”(16). She continues, “May it please God to attract people back to His Eucharistic heart containing the medicine for what ails humanity at many levels!”(16). These quotes announce to man that Jesus longs for a real relationship; furthermore, it is through the Eucharist and Adoration that this real relationship is possible. One cannot come to be in communion if one is not participating in the Holiest of Communion, the Eucharist. It is the “Source and summit” (CCC1324) that points back to Jesus, which allows man to see Jesus as Brother, who calls man to be in communion out of love.
Finally, one must come to know Jesus as Healer. It is through Jesus that man is healed from corruption and sin. Before Christ can heal any sickness or physical suffering, man must allow Christ to heal the interior element of sin. MacNutt writes, “While we, by and large have encouraged the sick to accept their illness as the will of God, the Christ of the gospels seems to reveal a very different attitude. Once when a leper came up to Jesus and said, “If you want to, you can cure me,” Jesus replied, “Of course I want to! Be cured!”(Mt 8:3).” (64). From this one sees that Jesus holds the healing power in His will, man just needs to ask for it, and if it is His will, He will heal. Even more, man knows there is pain all around. One cannot run from it, but only ask to be healed from it. Beckman writes, “Somehow people sense the sickness of our culture without realizing it is sin-sickness that can only be healed through repentance, communion with God of miracles!” (18). She also writes, “It takes grace to understand that God is bringing to light what has existed in darkness to correct the disordered sin-nature of His people. He will restore the Church!”(18). Both quotes manifest that Christ can heal the sickness of sin through man’s repentance, and by His grace. It is Jesus who allows and calls man to be healed from sin out of love.
I can not help but think of myself in all three areas of as Christ Redeemer, Brother, and Healer. Do I really allow Him to take my life and stir it up so as He is Redeemer, Brother, and Healer? It is only through His grace that I might run back to Him. The more I can smell the stench of my sins the faster I need to run to Him, but I also need to allow Him to run to me. Presently I just need to be quit and let His healing take place so permanently that I will never want to go astray ever again. Jesus just love me, Jesus just let me love you. Jesus just heal me, Jesus just let me allow you to heal me. Amen.
First, one must know Jesus as Redeemer. It is through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection one is redeemed. It is through God’s mercy He gave His only son to heal man of sin, and then heal man of sickness and of physical suffering if He wills it. Francis MacNutt author of Healing writes, “Jesus healed those whose spirits were sick and needed deliverance or forgiveness; he also healed those whose bodies were lame, blind, and leprous.”(50). This quote explains that Jesus must heal man from sin first, and then heal man from sickness. It is God’s love which allows man to run back to Him through His son. MacNutt continues, “He came to save people, not just souls. He came to help the suffering in whatever way they were suffering.” (50). This quote explains that Jesus came for all people to save them from this kingdom and to free them in His Kingdom. This affirms Jesus as Redeemer, who calls man to be saved out of love.
Next, one must know Jesus as Brother, best friend, and any way which allows one to encounter Jesus present in man’s life. Through the Eucharist man shares in a communion with Jesus as He is physically. Therefore, to know Jesus in the Eucharist is the fastest and most fitting way of being with Him. Kathleen Beckman author of Rekindle Eucharistic Amazement shares, “The Lord is concerned with every part of our lives!”(16). She continues, “May it please God to attract people back to His Eucharistic heart containing the medicine for what ails humanity at many levels!”(16). These quotes announce to man that Jesus longs for a real relationship; furthermore, it is through the Eucharist and Adoration that this real relationship is possible. One cannot come to be in communion if one is not participating in the Holiest of Communion, the Eucharist. It is the “Source and summit” (CCC1324) that points back to Jesus, which allows man to see Jesus as Brother, who calls man to be in communion out of love.
Finally, one must come to know Jesus as Healer. It is through Jesus that man is healed from corruption and sin. Before Christ can heal any sickness or physical suffering, man must allow Christ to heal the interior element of sin. MacNutt writes, “While we, by and large have encouraged the sick to accept their illness as the will of God, the Christ of the gospels seems to reveal a very different attitude. Once when a leper came up to Jesus and said, “If you want to, you can cure me,” Jesus replied, “Of course I want to! Be cured!”(Mt 8:3).” (64). From this one sees that Jesus holds the healing power in His will, man just needs to ask for it, and if it is His will, He will heal. Even more, man knows there is pain all around. One cannot run from it, but only ask to be healed from it. Beckman writes, “Somehow people sense the sickness of our culture without realizing it is sin-sickness that can only be healed through repentance, communion with God of miracles!” (18). She also writes, “It takes grace to understand that God is bringing to light what has existed in darkness to correct the disordered sin-nature of His people. He will restore the Church!”(18). Both quotes manifest that Christ can heal the sickness of sin through man’s repentance, and by His grace. It is Jesus who allows and calls man to be healed from sin out of love.
I can not help but think of myself in all three areas of as Christ Redeemer, Brother, and Healer. Do I really allow Him to take my life and stir it up so as He is Redeemer, Brother, and Healer? It is only through His grace that I might run back to Him. The more I can smell the stench of my sins the faster I need to run to Him, but I also need to allow Him to run to me. Presently I just need to be quit and let His healing take place so permanently that I will never want to go astray ever again. Jesus just love me, Jesus just let me love you. Jesus just heal me, Jesus just let me allow you to heal me. Amen.
Theology of Healing : From Emptiness to Overflowing
Brokenness streams out in human life due to the fall of Adam and Eve. Not to put all the blame on them eventually the bridge between man and God would have been broken somehow. Furthermore, it was their disobedience which allowed sin, death, and an emptiness of one’s heart entered in to the world. This is original sin which is washed away at Baptism, but there remains concupiscence. This is the cause of all heartache, pain, and suffering due to sin. Every time one sins it breaks that bridge that Jesus reappeared. It causes disunion between man and God. The ultimate healing takes place in Heaven, where one knows no more pain and suffering. To obtain a similar healing on earth one must seek freedom within love, and participate in the vocation of suffering.
First, one must seek freedom in order for any kind brokenness to be healed. For man was created in and out of love, this love allows us to choose between being free of sin or to be bound by sin. Jacques Philippe author of Interior Freedom explains, “We have this great thirst for happiness; and we sense that there is no happiness without love, and no love without freedom.” (13). Philippe also states, “Only love, then can satisfy us; and there is no love without love.” (13).Both quotes give one the message of obtaining freedom is not possible without love and love is not possible without freedom. Finding freedom is love, thus the opposite of freedom is slavery to sin. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church states “But in fact this struggle belongs to the heritage of sin. It is a consequence of sin and at the same time a confirmation of it. It is part of the daily experience of the spiritual battle:” (2516). This quote explains brokenness is from the struggle between sin and freedom which impairs our heart to allow one to seek freedom. Seeking freedom can and only will come from love, its trough love we are free, and through freedom we are healed.
Next, one must be open in participation to the vocation of suffering. Jesus calls us to suffer along with him. The closer our relationship grows with Him, the more He invites us to join in the community of suffer. In Jesus’ passion he bore all our suffering out of love. In a sense Jesus asks us to suffer, not for our sake, but rather for others. This calling is for us to be a witness to Jesus’ love. We are not just called to suffer alone, rather with Christ, Saint Mark engraves us with,” He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” —And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly.”(Mark 7: 33-35). Jesus takes the deaf man away, groans with the man’s suffering and then heals him. In us too Jesus wants to take us away from distraction, groan with us in our suffering, and then heal us. The most important part for us is “Ephphatha” to be open, to healing. Suffering allows us to be healed on Earth and prepares us for the greatest healing in Heaven.
When I look at the readings from these past two weeks I cannot help but praise God. Three weeks ago I don’t think I would have seen this in a clearer way. In a sense God woke me up with a big awaking. Suffering was in my past, and I thought I was healed from last year. Just because I was healed doesn’t mean there was not more junk in my heart. It is very much like conversion, just because I had a conversion doesn’t mean I can’t have ongoing conversion. Really what jumps out to me is the interior freedom in which I need so badly. For years I have been filling my heart with such junk and garbage of sin and lies. I was deaf, bind, and empty. The readings have given me open ears to allow my emptiness to be fill with love that overflows.
First, one must seek freedom in order for any kind brokenness to be healed. For man was created in and out of love, this love allows us to choose between being free of sin or to be bound by sin. Jacques Philippe author of Interior Freedom explains, “We have this great thirst for happiness; and we sense that there is no happiness without love, and no love without freedom.” (13). Philippe also states, “Only love, then can satisfy us; and there is no love without love.” (13).Both quotes give one the message of obtaining freedom is not possible without love and love is not possible without freedom. Finding freedom is love, thus the opposite of freedom is slavery to sin. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church states “But in fact this struggle belongs to the heritage of sin. It is a consequence of sin and at the same time a confirmation of it. It is part of the daily experience of the spiritual battle:” (2516). This quote explains brokenness is from the struggle between sin and freedom which impairs our heart to allow one to seek freedom. Seeking freedom can and only will come from love, its trough love we are free, and through freedom we are healed.
Next, one must be open in participation to the vocation of suffering. Jesus calls us to suffer along with him. The closer our relationship grows with Him, the more He invites us to join in the community of suffer. In Jesus’ passion he bore all our suffering out of love. In a sense Jesus asks us to suffer, not for our sake, but rather for others. This calling is for us to be a witness to Jesus’ love. We are not just called to suffer alone, rather with Christ, Saint Mark engraves us with,” He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” —And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly.”(Mark 7: 33-35). Jesus takes the deaf man away, groans with the man’s suffering and then heals him. In us too Jesus wants to take us away from distraction, groan with us in our suffering, and then heal us. The most important part for us is “Ephphatha” to be open, to healing. Suffering allows us to be healed on Earth and prepares us for the greatest healing in Heaven.
When I look at the readings from these past two weeks I cannot help but praise God. Three weeks ago I don’t think I would have seen this in a clearer way. In a sense God woke me up with a big awaking. Suffering was in my past, and I thought I was healed from last year. Just because I was healed doesn’t mean there was not more junk in my heart. It is very much like conversion, just because I had a conversion doesn’t mean I can’t have ongoing conversion. Really what jumps out to me is the interior freedom in which I need so badly. For years I have been filling my heart with such junk and garbage of sin and lies. I was deaf, bind, and empty. The readings have given me open ears to allow my emptiness to be fill with love that overflows.
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