For a number of years now the Healing Ministry has been an
important part of the life of our parish. We have an active branch of
the Guild of St Raphael and offer the Ministry of Laying on of
Hands once a month during the Thursday morning Eucharist. Members of
the Guild offer regular prayer for the sick, and from time to time they
hold services in such places as the Hospital Chapel. They have also
established links with other branches of the Guild.
Guild members do these things because they believe that the healing
Ministry should be at the heart of the life of the parish. The Gospels
show us quite clearly that healing was a vital aspect of the earthly
ministry of Jesus. Our Lord healed people as a compassionate response
to the needs of the sick but also as a powerful sign that he had come
to offer men and women life in all its fullness. The early Christians
continued this healing ministry believing that the risen Christ
continued to be active in the life of his Church. This surely must
continue to be so today. Members of the Guild of St Raphael are among
those who believe that we can continue to experience the Healing work
of Christ in the Church of the 21st century. Their mission is to make
the Healing Ministry a vital and normal part of church life.
This ministry may take various forms. The sacrament of anointing with
oil is available for those with serious healing needs. Laying on of
hands, performed publically during a ‘Healing Service’ or given
privately is an important sign of Christ’s healing touch. Faithful
prayer for those who are in need of healing is also an important aspect
of this ministry. The Eucharist is itself a powerful sacrament of
healing in which we all share on a regular basis.
We must remember, of course, that ‘Healing’ may not always mean that
there is a physical cure – it may sometimes result in a person being
strengthened to cope with disease rather than having it taken away. And
‘healing’ is, of course, not restricted to physical illness but can
mean the healing of memories or of relationships, or the restoration of
fractured communities. In all these ways the fullness of life offered
by Christ can be experienced.
On Monday October 24th the Guild celebrates the feast day of its
patron, the Archangel Raphael (depicted in the reredos behind the High
Altar of Holy
Trinity Church). On Sunday 23rd we are going to offer the Ministry
of the Laying on of Hands during the 10.30 a.m. Sung Eucharist in Holy
Trinity Church, to give everyone the opportunity to experience this
ministry or at least (if you don’t want to receive it yourself) to
observe it taking place. I hope that you would wish to be present at
that service. Most of us have healing needs of one kind or another and
by sharing in the Ministry of healing at that service you may indeed
know Christ’s healing presence in your life in a new
way.
