Pastor’s Corner for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, by Fr. Nobert Munekani SJ
The ministry of healing is among the central works of the Church, as it was for Jesus himself. As Pope Benedict XVI remarked, “Healing is an essential dimension of the apostolic mission and of Christian faith in general…. [It is] a religion of healing. When understood at a sufficiently deep level, this expresses the entire content of ‘redemption’” (Jesus of Nazareth, 176). Consequently, the Church offers direction in how Christ’s saving work continues in her rites today. Since the beginning, Catholics have always believed in the healing power of the mass. Even when Jesus first started his ministry, people flocked to him to hear his words. Those who did so often experienced healing, both physically and spiritually. This is why every mass is a healing mass. Through the sacrament of the Eucharist, God provides relief from all our worldly ailments. In essence, it’s one of His greatest gifts to the church.
Why then do we need a special healing mass if every Mass is a healing Mass? To answer that, we must know that there are several types of masses to cater to the varying needs of the faithful. The healing mass is a votive Mass. Meaning; it is offered for a specific purpose. This also means that most of the attendees are united by a common desire – healing. It’s the same reason why we have a different mass for a wedding, a baptism, or even a funeral.
What to Expect at a Healing Mass?
As we aware the priests are always available to hear confessions. Too often, we underestimate the therapeutic benefits of a confession. But being able to tell someone your sins help you unload the guilt you’ve been keeping bottled up inside you. This is why making a confession is your first step towards healing. A healing mass does not have its own liturgy. But homilies and hymns will be centered around healing. The priest will also incorporate mass intentions for healing.
Before anything else, we must not forget that it is God who is doing the healing. The priests are mere instruments to channel God’s healing power to you. They can intercede for you but the healing power of the mass comes from God himself.
Thus no matter how many healing masses you attend, if your faith is weak, it will all be for naught. As Jesus’ told that woman who touched his cloak, her faith has healed her. In the same vein, our strong faith in God can get us through whatever ails us. But “healing” can mean different things for each of us. The mass does not just provide relief from physical ailments. It also heals us mentally, emotionally, and most of all spiritually. Even if you did not get your desired results, being able to accept God’s will is healing in itself. It means we are transformed. This is the power of a healing mass. It’s the reason why most people leave the mass renewed and carry with them a sense of inner peace.
For the sick
Let us continue to pray for the sick members of our parish especially Benedicta Ngwebelele,Phoeb Ngwenya and Andrew Ledwaba
Rev. Fr. N. Munekani SJ
