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Men of Epiphany will be meeting this Saturday, February 17th, 6:30 a.m. in the Hearth room. If you can make it, this study is a marvelous preparation for each week's Mass readings.

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Being Set Free Through Inner Healing

Sunday, February 18, 2007
1 Samuel 26:2,7-9,12-13,22-23
Psalm 103:1-4,8,10,12-13
1 Corinthians 15:45-49
Luke 6:27-38

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Imagine the anger and the resentment that David must have held against King Saul. David had killed Goliath and won a major battle for Israel. And for this heroic feat, he was stalked by an almost insanely jealous Saul.

At some time or another, we have all been injured. Some of our injuries may have even required surgery, stitches, a cast, or crutches. But as was the case with David, some of our injuries are to our inner spirits—injuries that no amount of medical care could ever cure. Let’s face it. We live in a fallen world, a world where hurtful words or thoughtless actions can cause more pain than physical injuries or sickness. Physical abuse, marital discord, family animosity, abortion, broken friendships, or the loneliness of divorce are but a few of the ways we can get hurt, and all of the wounds caused by these events cry out for inner healing.

God never wants to see us bound by these wounds. Rather, he wants to soothe our memories and remove the pain of past hurts. When we pray for inner healing, he asks us to believe that Jesus not only wants to heal us but that he has the power to heal us. He asks us to trust that Jesus wants to heal us for the sake of our marriages, for the well-being of our families, and for the sake of his church. He wants to restore us so that we can become his instruments in this world.

If you feel that you need inner healing, don’t be afraid to pray—perhaps with your spouse or a close brother in the Lord. Imagine Jesus listening intently as you tell him about your pain. Picture him holding your hand or putting his arm around your shoulder.

But don’t just speak. Listen as well. Let Jesus speak words of comfort to you. Let him give you the strength to forgive. Listen as he asks you to let go of any resentment you may still be holding. It may take time, but Jesus won’t let you down.

“Lord, pour your healing balm over the inner hurts and wounds that still remain within me and in everyone who is hurting today.”

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

1. In the first reading, David passes up an opportunity to avenge himself on his enemy Saul, who was trying to kill him. What were David’s reasons for his actions? In what ways are David’s actions a reflection of God’s mercy toward us? In light of this, what attitude might God be asking you to adopt towards your enemies, or to those who have wronged you in the past?
2. In the responsorial psalm, we are called to “Bless the Lord.” What are some of the reasons the Psalmist gives for doing this? Can you give specific examples from your own life as well for blessing the Lord? In light of God’s blessings in your own life, how might you take the first step this week to bring kindness, compassion and pardon to others (family, friends, neighbors)?
3. In the second reading, St. Paul tells us that “we shall also bear the image of the heavenly one” (1 Corinthians 15:49). Do you believe this? Does this fill you with hope? Why or why not? What practical steps can you take to understand more fully the meaning of these words, and to allow them to become a greater reality in your life?
4. In the Gospel, Jesus begins his teaching with the phrase “to you who hear.” What are some additional steps you can take to open yourself more to “hear” the Lord? In what ways do you believe God wants to speak to you as you draw nearer to him in prayer and worship?
5. In the Gospel, Jesus also presents to his disciples (and us as well) how they are to act as Christian men. In particular, he reminds them (as he does in many places including the Our Father) that they (and we) will receive from God’s hand as we have treated others, that is, “For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you” (Luke 6:38). How ready are you to be judged by that standard? In what ways does it cause you to rethink any past hurts, resentments, and angers?
6. Do you believe these words from the meditation? “When we pray for inner healing, he asks us to believe that Jesus not only wants to heal us but that he has the power to heal us.” Why does Jesus want to heal you and your loved ones of inner hurts and wounds?
7. Take some time at the end of your meeting to pray for one another for inner healing using the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.

Come Holy Spirit!  ~  Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and en kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. Let us pray: O God, you taught the hearts of your faithful by sending them the light of your Holy Spirit. In that same spirit give us your right judgment and the joy of your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

Prayer to St. Joseph  ~  Glorious St. Joseph, guide and protector of the Holy Family, we ask that you obtain for us from your son, Jesus, the strength and wisdom to lead our families to their Father in heaven. Most Chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may we imitate your obedience to the will of God and be ever mindful of the vocation to which we have been called. Amen