Homily: 16th Sept 2025 Healing Service St Matthew’s Church
St Matthew’s Church in Ballyfermot, to those listening on Radio Maria and to those watching on webcam. The Lord is with us here in the blessed sacrament, and he is also spiritually in our midst because we have gathered in his name. He loves us and wants what is best for us. As we focus on his loving presence and promises we reach out to him in our need. As we do so we can expect blessings of all kinds including the possibility of physical or emotional healing.
We live in a world of broken human promises. The promises of God are different. The Lord always has not only the desire the intention to carry them out he also has the ability to fulfil the divine undertakings. In Num 23:19, we read, “God is not like men, who lie; He is not a human who changes his mind. Whatever he promises, he does; He speaks, and it is done.”
In Heb 6:18 we are assured that “It is impossible for God to lie.” And St Paul echoed that conviction when he wrote in 2 Tim 2:13, “If we are not faithful, he remains faithful, because he cannot be false to himself"
Abraham is our father in faith precisely because he trusted completely in the promise of God, even though it seemed to be impossible from a human point of view. Abraham and Mary were examples of what Prov 3:5 had in mind when it said,
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.”
That said, it is important to realise that just as the fulfilment of human promises, depend on the satisfaction of certain stated conditions, it is no different with the promises of God. In my experience, however, Christians tend to focus on the divine promise, while overlooking the associated conditions. For example, In John 15:7 Jesus says:
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.”
What does Jesus mean by saying we must remain in him? It is about having a close, personal relationship with Jesus as a result of experiencing his great mercy and love. Many years ago, I celebrated mass on a Travellers campsite in Coolock. The next day I visited the caravans. When one woman invited me into her caravan she said, “I was at the mass last night. When you gave out holy communion you said that we should close our eyes and imagine that Jesus was standing in front of us looking at us with eyes full of love and humility.” “Yes, I can remember saying that,” I responded. “Well father,” said the travelling woman, I did see Jesus standing in front of me. He was as real to me as you are at the moment.” “So you saw Jesus, after receiving holy communion,” I said, “that must have been deeply moving.” “It was father, but that wasn’t all. Jesus walked into me.” “What do you mean?” I asked. “Father, Jesus walked over to me and then walked into me.” I was still confused. “What do you mean exactly, when you say that Jesus walked into you?” “Father Jesus walked through my skin into my body. I knew he was living inside me.” That is what Jesus had in mind when he said, “If you remain in me.”
Then Jesus added a second related condition, if his words remain in us as a result of dropping from the mind into the heart after prayerful reflection. In Prov 4:20-21 we read,
“Pay attention to what I say, my child. Listen to my words. Never let them get away from you. Remember them and keep them in your heart. They will give life and health to anyone who understands them.”
The word can be received in many ways, a line of scripture that really strikes you, an inner inspiration or a heartfelt awareness that is in tune with God’s will of love. Has any word really struck you tonight, as God’s word for you?
When these two conditions are met, Jesus says that we can ask for whatever we wish, in accord with God’s will, and it will be given to you.
A number of weeks ago, a woman in the travelling community who I know for about 30 years brought her sister to see me because she had a very sore knee. Although it needed surgery the doctors cancelled the operation because of other health considerations. At one point I asked the woman if it would be OK to put my hand on her knee. She said yes. As I did so, a text in Heb 12:12-13 came to mind, which I felt was an expression of the divine will.
“Lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.”
My prayer was sincere but relatively short. I knew that the two sisters were full of faith. About two weeks later I got a phone call that the troublesome knee had been healed, thanks be to God. If you abide in God and let his word abide in you tonight, we can expect similar healings here right now.
(Take up collection and sing a suitable hymn, such as Seek first the Kingdom of God)
Prayer to abide in Christ
Thank You, Father, that I am a branch that is united to my heavenly Vine, the lovely Lord Jesus Christ. May His life flow through mine as sap flows through the branch that is engrafted into its parent stem. Fill me with His fullness so that I may live and move and grow and bear fruit as I abide more and more in Him. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.
Prayer that God’s word would abide in our hearts
Lord Jesus, help me to abide in you each day. Let your words live in my heart and guide my thoughts. Align my desires with your will, so that my prayers reflect your truth and love. I trust in your promise, and I seek to walk closely with you. I ask this in Jesus’s name, Amen.