The ministry of healing is offered today. During the 10am service you are invited to come forward to receive a prayer for yourself or a loved one and to be anointed with healing oil.
Why does the church offer the ministry of healing? Prayers of wholeness, restoration and reconciliation are integral to the good news of Jesus Christ. The whole story of salvation has healing at its heart; it’s a necessary component to the past forgiveness of sins and the future hope of eternal life. If salvation is what the gospel is about, then healing is something we need to pray for. The gospel and healing are intertwined. The whole story of redemption teaches us to expect God’s renewing work in the world and simultaneously to wait with patience for the renewal of all things. Sometimes we have to stay with our pain. Healing is just as much transformation of our past hurts, ills, and disordered relationships, as it is physical instances of healing.
In the incarnation Jesus Christ came to live amongst us and in his physical and spiritual healings he touches those who were unwell. Jesus got involved in the real grit of ordinary life – the mud, blood, sweat and tears of life, and be brought inner transformation. In today’s gospel ten lepers are restored to wholeness of life having been excluded for years.
There is also a close relationship between the Eucharist and healing in the sacraments. If Jesus makes Godself present to God’s people in the breaking of bread, then God’s healing power is uniquely released when we come to the altar. So today you are invited to open yourself up to receive healing in a multitude of ways in this liturgy. Being anointed with healing oil is a very tangible sign of prayer. May it be a blessing to you.
Revd Catherine Duce
