The 2018 Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference: Five Great Reasons to Go!
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Is any one among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise. 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. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects.
James 5:13–16
As members of the Church, we share a wonderful joy in being able to support others when they are sick at heart. Our physical well-being is intimately connected to our spiritual condition. The forgiveness of sin is tied to the alleviation of personal suffering, as the passage above demonstrates. It is a beautiful expression of the fellowship that brings healing to the brethren.
When we open our hearts to one another, confessing our sins and calling out to the Church for healing, we draw upon the power of the Holy Spirit and find restoration and renewal. Just as a right attitude and a healed heart can influence the healing of our physical body, so too can confession and forgiveness among Church members help to bring greater unity and healing to the Body of Christ. It is part of what it means to leave our legacy within the Church. Unity and reconciliation build up the members and carry out the eternal mission of Christianity.
Questions for reflection
Have you experienced healing and strength in the sacraments of the Church? How?
Have you seen the impact your own personal healing has had on the Body of Christ? What has that been like?
How can you help to bring healing to a brother in Christ?
Praying with Scripture
Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind. (1 Pt 3:8)
You can learn more about the To the Ends of the Earth Series HERE
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Mark C. McCann is an author and Ministry Consultant with more than 30 years of writing and ministry experience. He has published articles for a number of Catholic magazines and websites including St. Anthony Messenger, Emmanuel Magazine, Liguorian Magazine, Catholic Stand, the Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference, and Homiletic and Pastoral Review. He recently published the 4-volume Catholic men's devotional, To the Ends of the Earth, as well as the 2021 Advent Daybreaks devotional and 2022 Lenten Daybreaks devotional with Liguori Publishing. He has also released his End Times novel series, Jacob's Dream: The Vision and Jacob's Dream: The Final Battle. He was a radio host and producer for 8 years at a Connecticut Christian radio station and has worked as a Catholic religion teacher/campus minister and a parish youth minister. He has also served the Norwich, CT Diocese as a Youth Ministry Director and Family Life Director. He currently lives in Connecticut with his Proverbs 31 wife, where together they have brought up three incredible children. He strives each day to live out his call to be a man of words. You can learn more about Mark and his writing at www.wordsnvisions.com.
