Jesus was known as a healer. Sick and disabled people thronged around him, hoping for a cure. People brought their ailing relatives and friends to him. He cured blind, deaf, mute and disabled sufferers. He even brought people back to life. For the whole world, he brought about salvation. (This word is derived from the Latin salus, which means “health.” We call him the Divine Physician.

Sometimes Jesus cures today, sometimes in such a way that we call it miraculous. Sometimes, for reasons unknown to us, people do not get well.

Once I was facing surgery for a herniated disc in my neck. During the pre-op, the nurse told me that her husband had been cured of epilepsy after their parish prayed for him.  I said, I’ve been praying like crazy, but Jesus hasn’t cured me. She said, “He is curing you. Through the doctors.”

A while ago, I came across a prayer that I credit for improving several of my health problems. It’s a beautiful prayer that you might like to adopt:

                          St. Padre Pio’s Powerful Healing Prayer

Heavenly Father, I thank you for loving me.

I thank you for sending your Son,

Our Lord Jesus Christ, to the world to save and to set me free.

I trust in your power and grace that sustain and restore me.

Loving Father,

touch me now with your healing hands,

for I believe that your will is for me to be well in mind, body, soul, and spirit.

Cover me with the most precious blood of your Son,

our Lord, Jesus Christ, from the top of my head to the soles of my feet.

Cast anything that should not be in me.

Root out any unhealthy and abnormal cells.

Open any blocked arteries or veins and rebuild and replenish any damaged areas.

Remove all inflammation and cleanse any infection

by the power of Jesus’ precious blood.

Let the fire of your healing love pass through my entire body

to heal and make new any diseased areas

so that my body will function the way you created it to function.

Touch also my mind and my emotions,

even the deepest recesses of my heart.

Saturate my entire being with your presence,

love, joy, and peace, and draw me ever closer to you every moment of my life.

And, Father, fill me with your Holy Spirit

and empower me to do your works

so that my life will bring glory and honor to your holy name.

I ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Non-Traditional Healing

Currently I’m editing a book about Reiki, a form of energy medicine that brings about wholistic health, balance, and well-being. It promotes healing and inner peace. Although some people consider Reiki superstitious, it is being practiced in hospitals and clinics. More and more people are coming to understand it and witnessing its benefits. Research is being done on it.

Anointing of the Sick

Our Catholic Church offers the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. No longer, a rite only for people who are dying, this sacrament is available to anyone who has a serious illness, is elderly, or facing major surgery. Through it we can experience the comfort and healing of Jesus today, as well as the support of other Christians. By signs of oil and the laying on of hands and through a priest’s words, the Anointing of the Sick makes present God’s life and power (grace). Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). One way he promotes life is through this sacrament.

I’ve written a book about this sacrament, especially for those who may be reluctant to receive it.

Saints

We can also appeal to our heavenly friends, the saints, for healing. Many of them have their particular domain:  St. Lucy cares for eyes, St. Alphonsus Liguori helps with arthritis, St. Peregrine is in charge of cancer, St. Benedict is the go-to one for kidney disease, and St. Apollonia cares for teeth (when she was martyred, she was tortured by having all her teeth pulled out or shattered).

When you are sick, in addition to taking pills, vitamins, and getting shots, try a little supernatural medicine.

• What is your experience with Jesus healing you or someone you know?

Here is a song for healing: