God's Healing Touch

By Joan Weber

Have you ever felt sorry for yourself because of something that happened, only to catch yourself and realize how truly blessed your life really is? That happens to me frequently. I think my life is pretty rough until I remember how many people in this world are suffering in profound and ongoing ways. I think of people with a terminal illness, those struggling with poverty and hunger, those living in war-torn areas around the world. I think of victims of prejudice or hatred or fear. And I am humbled!

Jesus had a special love for those who suffered deeply. There are so many stories of his healing touch in the Gospels. One of those was recorded by Luke:

Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, "Woman, you are set free from your ailment." When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God (Luke 13:10-13).

I especially love this story because Jesus' touch enabled the woman to "stand up straight" and praise God. Suffering and pain do weigh us down, physically and mentally. Jesus' touch liberates us from the burdens that make our lives seem oppressive and frees us to remember how much God takes care of us.

The early church saw the value of the healing touch. St. James wrote: "Is there anyone sick among you? Let him send for the presbyters of the Church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick man and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, they will be forgiven him" (James 5:14-15).

The church today recognizes the Anointing of the Sick as one of the seven sacraments of our faith. Three symbolic actions in this sacrament express the church's teachings about healing. The laying on of hands by the priest is a sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit, who supports the sick person in bearing the suffering and in fighting against the illness. The anointing of the forehead and hands with oil symbolizes God's healing touch. And the prayer that accompanies the anointing expresses the hope and trust in the sacrament: "Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up."

It takes trust to appreciate the fullness of the Sacrament of Anointing and of Jesus' healing touch. In Jesus, I Trust in You, Angus McDonell and Sarah Hart sing of this trust:

Jesus, I trust in you, giver of mercy.
Jesus I trust in you, O font of life.
Healer, teacher, Savior and friend.
Jesus, I trust in you.
All that I am is in your hands.

Let not this heart be troubled, but let it rest in you.
For with you, every sorrow will be washed away.
Let not my mind be burdened, but set it free with truth,
For every care is lost in understanding grace.

Jesus, I trust in you . . .

Let us cherish the gift of the Sacrament of Anointing. Let us pray that we trust in Jesus' healing touch in our own lives and that we become the healing touch of Jesus for others: Jesus, lay your healing hands upon me. Heal my heart, my mind, my spirit, and my body. And heal those whose suffering at this moment is unbearable without you. Jesus, I trust in your healing power in my life. Jesus, I trust in you. Amen.

Spirit Compass reflections are developed in partnership
with the Center for Ministry Development.