Healing the mind and the spirit

Reconciliation is what God does. 

Receiving it and celebrating it is what we do. 

God is not a dictator,  so he cannot heal you if you don’t ask.

The Story of the Prodigal Son is the typical picture of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

1.  Coming to Senses:

The  process begins with a "coming to one's senses," with a realization that all is not right with our values and style of life. Prompted by a faith response to God's call, conversion initiates a desire for change.  It may not always those big evil, but the small ones that also matter.  It is the little foxes that spoil the wine.

2.  Change in Direction

Shuv, is the Old Testament term for conversion, suggests a physical change of direction.  The corresponding Greek word is  metanoia. The terms  suggests an internal turnabout which should result in action.  This is one of the functions of the Holy Spirit.  It is given to us so that we may continue in progressive sanctification.  Conversion is not a once-in-a-lifetime moment but a continuous, ongoing, lifelong process which brings us ever closer to "the holiness and love of God

3.  Confession

Confession involves both individual (Personal) confession, as well as corporal confession,  Sins are an expression of our state of existence.  Unless we identify and resent it cannot be remedied.

4.  Reconciliation.

We reconcile with God through the sacrifice of Christ for our personal sins and we reconcile with each other through actions.

The sacrament is sometimes referred to as Penance.  It is connected with punishment.  What is intended is restitution and reinstatement.  Individual trespasses against individuals must be rectified directly along with communal reconciliation. Sin of selfishness and hatred causes breaches within the community.

Part of the Sacrament of Reconciliation therefore is expressed in the Kiss of Peace whereby we reconciled with our brothers in the Community of Faith,

Reconciliation always has two aspects

Like the Prodigal Son we can always go back with God with confidence.  God is always ready and eager to have his children come back to Him.

5.  Absolution. 

The pronouncement of absolution is necessary for reassurance. We need to see, hear and feel forgiveness—not just think about it.  God is merciful and there is no sin that cannot be covered by the blood.

6.  This all leads to the Eucharist, the celebration of Thanksgiving

"The father turned to his servants:

'Quick! Bring out the finest robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  Take the fattened calf and kill it. We will celebrate and have a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has come back to life. He was lost and is found.' And the celebration began."  Luke 16:23-24

This active forgiveness and reconciliation within the community of believers is an authority given by Jesus to the Church

Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

(Mat 18:18-20)

(Mar 16:17-18)

And these signs shall follow them that believe;

In my name shall they cast out devils;

they shall speak with new tongues;

They shall take up serpents;

and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them;

they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

“Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven"
(Jas. 5:14–15).

The anointing of the sick is administered to bring spiritual and even physical strength during an illness.  The oil and the laying on of hands are the external rites as visible symbols.  The Prayer of Faith is what heals as promised by Jesus.

Mark refers to the sacrament when he recounts how Jesus sent out the twelve disciples to preach, and "they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them" (Mark 6:13). In his epistle, James says, "Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven" (Jas. 5:14–15).

As a normal practice it is used whenever someone is sick in accordance with the instructions of James.

As a sacrament, a sick is anointed on eyes, ears, nostrils, lips, hands, feet, and sometimes, in the case of men, the loins, by a priest while he recites absolutions for sins committed in accordance with the promise of Jesus and the word.

Extreme Unction is the name given when this is done to a dying person.  

"As the Father sent me, so I am sending you. Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained".

The Healer is Jesus who died for you

but

The Healing hands are those of the believers.

The Healing Hands

Sometimes the touch is Hard  and sometimes Hot.  It all heals

In all cultures healing was part of the religion.  The medical sciences evolved from the religious sacraments.  Priests acted as doctors both for physical and spirituall sickness.  As the medical science progressed, the art of physical healing was separated from the spiritual healing.  It is still the function of the church to bring the balance between the body, mind and spirit.  Death is the greatest blessing to a fallen man.  But healing and restitution are still part of God’s plan.

Remember— all your good deeds,
baptism,
 confirmation,
church membership,
communion,
penance,
and praying
will surely send you to Hell,  if you include them in your faith. 

Romans 3:20

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight.

Put all your faith in Jesus Christ alone!

Don't rely upon anyone or anything besides Jesus.  

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13).

Just as a coal kept separate will cool off and die, we need to have regular rites of intensification and appropriate initiation sacraments to keep our faith.