LOVE HEALS
Fr.
Pascual Adorable, a Jesuit, was among the pioneers of the Catholic
Charismatic Renewal Movement in the Philippines. He founded the Buklod
ng Pag-ibig, a renewal community that has faithfully nurtured the
charism of healing with various undertakings emanating from its home in
Balete Drive Extension in Quezon City. His ministry also gave rise to
the Bukas Loob sa Diyos Covenant Community, a couple-oriented renewal
group that has since branched out even to other countries. Throughout
his ministry, Fr. Ado stressed two things about healing: first, true
healing flows from Jesus in the Eucharist where He Himself promised to
be present until the end of time; second, true
healing comes not just from God’s power but His love. He would always
declare with a shout during his healing Masses: “It is love that heals!”
Jesus’
encounter with Zacchaeus in Jericho was not simply a conversion story
but a healing story. The tax collector may not have been sick physically
but his heart ached as people distanced themselves from him whom they
considered to be a publican. His heart ached as people showed him their
hateful feelings when they blocked his view of Jesus. His spirit could
have been aching, too, so he was looking for Jesus. Jesus, he heard, had
the gift of making persons see new meaningfulness in their broken
lives.
Jesus
healed Zacchaeus with love. Zacchaeus felt love as Jesus singled him
out from the crowd. He felt love as Jesus told him He was going to dine
with him. And the love made Zacchaeus promise that he would repair his
cheating by repaying the people fourfold.
Why
not try the love therapy? Care for old people at home, touch them with
love and talk to them. Visit the sick, lend them your listening ears and
show concern. Pray with and minister to them with words of faith and
hope coming from the Bible. Believe in your heart, show with your acts,
and proclaim with your sharing, “It is love that heals!” Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP
REFLECTION QUESTION: Spend
some time recalling how persons healed you with their love. Thank God
for these persons. Pay it forward: for whom are you now concretely
challenged to be a daily sharer of God’s healing love?
Father, touch me with Your healing love and help me help those in need of healing, too.
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