ARTICLE – Evangelizing Through Healing: Manifesting God’s Loving Presence

ARTICLE – Evangelizing Through Healing: Manifesting God’s Loving Presence

November 27, 2024 by Pierre-Alain Giffard News, Recommended Texts

The mission of the Church has always been to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every corner of the earth. Central to this mission is the reality of God’s love, and his call to heal the sick. Healing—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—has been a profound sign of God’s loving presence throughout salvation history, from the miracles of Jesus to the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church today. 

1. Healing in the Ministry of Jesus and the Early Church

The ministry of Jesus Christ was characterized by healing, which served as a visible sign of the Kingdom of God breaking into the world. The Gospels recount numerous instances where Jesus healed the sick, delivered the possessed, and restored the brokenhearted. Healing is not merely a physical act but a manifestation of God’s deeper work of salvation and restoration. It is through such acts that Jesus demonstrates His authority, compassion, and the coming of God’s Kingdom.

The apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, continued the healing ministry of Jesus. The Book of Acts is replete with examples of the apostles healing in the name of Jesus. For instance, in Acts 3:1-10, Peter and John heal a man lame from birth, which leads to an opportunity to preach the Gospel to the amazed onlookers. Healing here serves as a catalyst for evangelization, drawing people’s attention to the transformative power of Christ.

2. The Saints: Evangelizing Through Healing

The lives of the saints offer countless examples of evangelizing through healing. St. Padre Pio, a modern saint, was known for his miraculous healings and spiritual guidance. His ministry of healing attracted countless souls to Christ, not only through physical cures but also through the sacrament of confession, where he offered spiritual healing and reconciliation.

St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) exemplified the healing and compassionate presence of Christ through her work with the dying and destitute. Her care for the physical needs of the suffering opened hearts to the deeper reality of God’s love and mercy. She often said, “It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving.”

3. Healing and Today’s Church

In today’s world, the Church continues to witness to God’s healing power through various ministries. Catholic Charismatic Renewal communities and groups, for example, usually emphasize healing prayer, recognizing the Holy Spirit’s work in restoring people physically and spiritually. Healing services and retreats, such as those led by Fr. Richard McAlear or the late Fr. Emiliano Tardif, draw people closer to Christ by demonstrating His care in miraculous ways.

Pope Benedict XVI, in Deus Caritas Est, reminds us that all acts of charity, including healing, are rooted in God’s love: “Love—caritas—will always prove necessary, even in the most just society. There is no ordering of the State so just that it can eliminate the need for a service of love” (DCE 28).

4. Practical Implications for Evangelization

Healing ministries extend to all the baptized faithful. Jesus not only sent His apostles to heal the sick and proclaim the Kingdom of God, but He also sent the seventy-two disciples, commissioning them to preach, heal, and demonstrate the nearness of God’s love and care (Luke 10:1-9).The sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is specifically reserved for priests, but lay Catholics can take an active role in praying for those who are ill. By virtue of their baptism, they share in the priestly, prophetic, and kingly mission of Christ. They are empowered to bring God’s healing presence into their families, workplaces, and communities. 

In the Gospels, Jesus’ healings often involved physical touch, words of compassion, and prayer—simple yet profound gestures that communicated God’s love. Similarly, lay people can imitate Christ by offering prayers and touch for healing in the name of Jesus. This act becomes an expression of trust in God’s power and an invitation for the Holy Spirit to work through them. 

Here are three notable instances in which Jesus’s touch brought about healing.:

  1. The Leper “A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’ Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.” (Matthew 8:2-3)
  2. Peter’s Mother-in-Law “When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.” (Matthew 8:14-15)
  3. Two Blind Men “Then he touched their eyes and said, ‘According to your faith let it be done to you’; and their sight was restored.” (Matthew 9:29-30)

Practical ways for laypeople to engage in this pastoral activity include:

  1. Personal Prayer and Intercession: Privately lifting up the needs of the sick, entrusting them to the Lord’s care.
  2. Healing Touch: With reverence, appropriateness and faith, touching the person and asking the Holy Spirit to bring healing and comfort.
  3. Organizing Prayer Groups: Joining or forming groups dedicated to praying for those who are ill, fostering a community of support and faith.
  4. Accompaniment: Spending time with the sick, offering words of encouragement, and listening to their struggles with patience and empathy.
  5. Integrating Healing Into Daily Life: Being attentive to opportunities to pray with those who are suffering in everyday settings, such as workplaces, schools, or neighborhoods.

5. Conclusion

Evangelizing through healing is about manifesting God’s presence, care, and love to a wounded world. It is a continuation of Christ’s mission and a profound expression of the Gospel. By following the example of Jesus, Catholics today are called to be instruments of God’s healing power, drawing others into a deeper relationship with Him. Through praying for the sick, the Church proclaims that God is near, that He loves His people, and that His Kingdom is among us.

As Jesus said in Matthew 10:8, “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.” May the Church continue to embrace this call, sharing the healing love of God with the world.

 Pierre-Alain Giffard, Director of Pastoral Work

Email: pierre.alain.giffard@gmail.com

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