Wednesday, August 19, 2015

What is the "Gift of Healing"?Is it the same as the miracles that Jesus performed?



The signs and miracles that Jesus worked attest that the Father sent him. They invite belief in him. To those who turn to him in faith, he grants what we ask. So miracles strengthen faith in the One who does his Father's works; they bear witness that he is the Son of God. In his name, Jesus' disciples performed miracles, for the Father granted all they asked in this name.

In the Church there are people, including Deacons, Religious and lay people who are actively exercising the charism of healing the sick. Many miraculous healings are being reported by many of these different ministries such as the lame being able to walk, the blind being able to see, the deaf being able to hear, a radical changing of people's hearts and lives towards God, and other types of healings.The Church encourages all the faithful to use the spiritual gifts for the building up of the Church in charity according to the Documents of the Vatican Council II under the Decree on the Apostolate of Lay People.Of course, the Church has the responsibility to pass judgement on the authenticity and good use of these gifts in accordance with 1Thes. 5:12,19, 21, to test everything and to keep what is good. I think it is also worthwhile to mention here that the Doctrinal Commission of the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services  (ICCRS) based in the Vatican has recently published a booklet entitled, "Guidelines For Prayer For Healings" to facilitate the exercise of prayer for healings that is in communion with the teachings of the Catholic Church. The Eucharist is the best source of healing. Every time we attend Mass, we attend a Healing Service, where we receive the Living Christ the Healer, his body, blood, soul and divinity. Some sects, like "Christian Services", reject all medicine. To do is "to tempt God", somehow "forcing " him to interfere and to perform miracles.

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