camphor tree jan 2006

 

jan 2006

 

Jan 19 2006

Mk 3:7-12 Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea. Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon. He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, “You are the Son of God.” He warned them sternly not to make him known.
There were many who were in need of healing. So many were coming for healing, that if there was not a boat to put Jesus in, he might have been crushed. Unclean spirits would shout out that he was the Son of God and He warned that they should not make him known. The good works of Jesus are causing a press of a crowd. I believe it was for this reason that Jesus did not want it shouted out who He was. Many wanted to touch Jesus in order to receive healing.

I often believe that touch is an important element of the healing process. In modern medicine touch comes with the greeting and initial assessment exam. Many time there are places of illness or pain that people can identify and explain when the area is being touched. With our modern technology is possible to heal without touch, but I believe that the people coming for healing are more comforted and feel more confidence in the healing if part of the healing encounter involves touch. The needs for healing in the world are still crushing and overwhelming at times. It is God who heals and people are only instruments of healing.

God gives us different gifts. I know that I have been in work that involves healing a part of God's plan for me. I remember when I was little and my mother was sick coming to her when I was bearly young enought to talk and while she was bedridden bringing her crackers and feeding them to her trying to heal her. I have often thought that the illnesses that I have experienced were so that I might learn how to properly care for others with the same needs for healing. It has been a long journey to learn how to be healing to others and be Christ to others and see the face of Christ in others. Jesus knew how to handle the crush with a boat nearby. I am still learning how to handle the crush of others in need and how to let my healing abilities flower while not being smothered by the overwhelming needs of others.

Today I pray for God to bless my ministry of healing and grant me continued learning and growth in the ways to heal myself and others.