Chapter 6 – Healing and Holiness – Luke 1:46
“Be Holy as I am Holy” says the Lord. You and I can heal through holiness. Holiness is not a one time thing, it’s an all the time thing. This doesn’t mean you will never stumble or sin. Why did Jesus give us the Sacrament of Confession? To help us when we stumble, fall and sin. Confession should not be a laundry list, it is an encounter with God! God’s grace within us! We are restored to right relationship with Him when we partake sincerely in the Sacrament of Confession. The sacrament of Reconciliation is a tremendous gift to us from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
We are called to sanctify our day, every day, at our waking hour. Roll out of bed, drop to your knees, give thanks to the Lord for a peaceful night sleep and the gift of the day before us. Ask God to bless everything you will experience this day and to be holy in every thought, word and deed you will perform and that everything you do will glorify his name.
You and I are works in progress. It is a lifelong process, our faith, our holiness and our healing and there will be ups and downs, peaks and valleys.
Follow the lives of the saints and they will lead you to healing and holiness and ultimately to Jesus! The saints are our friends on the journey, on the path to healing and holiness on the Way! Jesus is the Way. The saints cannot do anything but lead us to Jesus.
Healing and Holiness go hand in hand and start with prayer. In addition to prayer study is necessary. Take baby steps but you cannot go it alone. You also cannot go it just Jesus and you and no one else.
Jesus picked 12 Apostles and other disciples to share in His work. He wants us to be in relationship. If you have and build relationships with others who are sincere in their faith walk as you it will help you heal and become Holy.
Practice the Sacraments. You cannot heal and become Holy without practicing the sacraments. Mass and Communion every Sunday at the least! Confess your sins to a priest regularly. I would suggest once a month. You have already been baptized and received Confirmation so you and I are called to be soldiers for Jesus Christ!
In addition to practicing your Catholic faith, join and partake in a small group of faith sharing friends who meet once a week and reflect on the Gospel.
Serve the poor regularly as well or find a cause you enjoy and are comfortable with. Look in your church bulletin or go to your parish rectory and inquire.
Pro Life is a wonderful cause to get behind. If you like animals serve in an animal shelter. If you have knowledge of a sport, coach a team of children or teenagers. Teach in your parish Religious education program. Whatever you are good at or think you are good at, go do it! Make sure you are serving others in the name of and for the glory of God!
So, by practicing your Faith and living it, praying, studying, meeting with and worshipping with a community of believers, going out in the community and serving in the name of God will come healing and holiness. It all works together for the glory of God. Please God first and you will grow in holiness and heal mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
As our Blessed Mother proclaimed “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior”! This was her Magnificat.
Our Lady also proclaimed, “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word”. Her Fiat! Her faith!
Trust and Love the Lord “with all your heart, all your being, all your mind and all your strength” and Love your “neighbor” as yourself and the process of healing and holiness will begin.
Charles DeFeo: Catholic Blogger and Useless Servant of Christ 