With so many sick people and so many sicknesses, healing is one of the most popular prayer intentions. The Gospel today reminds us that one of the reasons people were going to Jesus in droves was to request for healing. Further, the Gospel has as many as 22 different stories of healing.

We have a rosary group with one member whose brother was very sick. The doctors gave him two weeks to live. The group prayed for him every day and was updated on the sick person’s status. After two weeks, he did not pass as predicted by the doctors, and was actually brought home alive. In fact, he eventually even joined the rosary group. When the family asked the doctor whether this was a miracle, the doctor said what he was sure of was an “external intervention.”

Three reasons why we pray for healing:

• First, prayer reduces fear and anxiety knowing that God is in control. When we look at our sickness in the eyes of faith, we are comforted that even in suffering, God has a plan. Hopefully, this makes us more accepting of our situation. 
• Second, prayer reminds us to forgive. Many of our sicknesses come from our negative emotions like anger, a lack of forgiveness , bitterness and envy. When we pray for the people who hurt us and pray for strength to ask for forgiveness, we experience one the most liberating emotions that can help us in healing. 
• Third, prayer helps us to see the bigger picture in life. That is, we are only passing by and life is short and swift. Hence, when we deal with sickness, it is an opportunity to prepare for eternal life.

In the Gospel, people searched for Jesus physically. Now we are so blessed to be with Jesus especially when we receive the Holy Communion, the real presence of Christ. In his presence, we continue to pray for healing of ourselves and our loved ones. May we always be reminded in our prayer that God has a plan, God is always with us – healthy or not, and to be cast all our care to God who answers all our prayers.