Advent, something that God does

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We are approaching the season of Advent. Nights are longer, days are colder, and the lights in our homes shine brighter. If we have an Advent wreath, lighting candle after candle each week in our houses and churches, we are guided by their light. Hope, love, joy and peace are traditional meanings for each of the Advent candles. These can also be the gifts of healing that we pray for week after week. Hope to sooth our disappointments, love to heal our wounds, joy to lighten our days, and peace to sooth the ache of discord among and within us.

There is a lot that we do in terms of preparing for Christmas, both externally as well as spiritually. Yet Advent is something that God does. It is God’s initiative, His coming into the world. With Mary being pregnant, in Advent Jesus is already here, though not yet fully. Like Jonah was in the belly of the wale we are with Mary waiting for the fruits of our Advent.

Lord, what will You do this Advent?

We can carve out some time for prayer in our daily schedule and ponder on this question.
Ask yourself, what do you want the Lord to do for you? Where do you need Him the most?

As a response to God’s gracious action in our lives, we can also ask,
Is there someone who needs the light of hope, the light of love, the light of joy, the light of peace? Is God inviting us to visit someone with this light in Advent?

Be attentive. Pay attention to the movements in and around you where you may notice His workings.

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (Psalm 107:1)

Iva Beranek
Dr Iva Beranek is the Ministry Facilitator for the CMH: Ireland

A time to remember

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The change from autumn to winter is a time when the natural cycle of nature in this part of the world invites us to reflect on the reality of change and the inevitable process of ageing and death. It is no coincidence that at this time of the year we often reflect both personally and liturgically on the memories and lives of those who have died. November in particular is a poignant month of remembrance on so many levels. What is it though to remember? For those who are bereaved, it can be an unsettling mixture of deep love and sadness at the same time; a deep love for the person we remember and of course a very human sadness because we miss them. In the Christian tradition we live daily with the mystery of death and life where as followers of Jesus Christ we proclaim his victory over death and rejoice in eternal life. While society and popular media often struggle to describe the reality of death through euphemisms such as ‘passed away’ our funeral liturgy gives a clear reminder that someone has died. Why do we find it hard to talk about death?

As people of faith, we have an opportunity this November to talk meaningfully and pastorally about death and remembrance. We can do so knowing that yes it can bring a tear to our eye as we miss someone close to us, but that is OK. In fact it is important. To be remembered is to be cherished. We have an opportunity to offer healing as we accompany those who are bereaved, no one else can do their grieving but we can accompany them with a tender presence as we speak of their loved one.

As we celebrate All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day in early November may we be inspired by those who have nurtured us, inspired us and loved us. May we mention their names and in the timelessness of eternity feel their communion and fellowship. In the words of William Draper

In our day of thanksgiving one psalm let us offer
For the saints who before us have found their reward;
When the shadow of death fell upon them, we sorrowed,
But now we rejoice that they rest in the Lord.

In the morning of life, and at noon, and at even,
He called them away from our worship below;
But not till His love, at the font and the altar,
Had girt them with grace for the way they should go.

These stones that have echoed their praises are holy,
And dear is the ground where their feet have once trod;
Yet here they confessed they were strangers and pilgrims,
And still they were seeking the city of God.

Sing praise, then, for all who here sought and here found Him,
Whose journey is ended, whose perils are past;
They believed in the Light; and its glory is round them,
Where the clouds of earth’s sorrows are lifted at last.

Daniel Nuzum.
Rev Dr Daniel Nuzum is a Chair for CMH:I

Looking beyond ourselves in compassion

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There is a natural human inclination at various times in our life to move into times of introspection and periods of self-reflection. Socrates after all said, “an unexamined life is not worth living”, and while this is relevant for everyone it is particularly important for the follower of Christ and especially so for those involved in the healing ministry.

For those consumed with the mission to be made well again, it is very easy to become trapped by the inner pain and suffering that we are experiencing in the immediate present. This often comes at the cost of forgetting others close to us, who may also be in search of healing. There is a challenging call to each of us, to constantly broaden our horizon even in the midst of our own suffering. The wider world is full of conflict, and we shouldn’t let our own pain, or our own search for inner meaning cause us to forget to look outside our immediate circle with compassion and love. Sometimes it is not even enough to remind ourselves to remember “the least of these”, instead as a spiritual practice we should be willing to look beyond the circle that so often confines our horizons and what we believe is possible.

Over a lifetime each person will experience loss, rejection and betrayal to some degree. We lose a loved one, our physical or mental capacities seem to decrease, or a previously good friend may betray a deep confidence. The actual process of living life challenges us deeply, and can make it difficult to keep our heart open and alive to Christ. Our daily living tests us to keep our hearts open and trusting.

The greatest gift we can pray for is compassion. At the centre of our being lies the light of love. Our journey to that love involves accepting our humanity and forgiving ourselves for all that we are and have done. Only then a glimpse of wholeness, a glimpse of who are meant to be is in reach.

Bruce Hayes.
Rev Bruce Hayes is CMH:I Board member

Wellspring

We are happy to let you know that our next Wellspring is taking place on Saturday, 25th November 2017 in St Patrick’s Church, Dalkey. This is our one day retreat, where we invite you take time out for yourself in order to reconnect with God and with what is deepest within you. During the day you will be nurtured in silence, encouraged to engage with Scripture, healing prayer and mindfulness. There will be time to walk outside; to participate in guided reflections; to avail of one-to-one https://ministryofhealing.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/GCOQ1986-300×300.jpgdiscussion with a spiritual director; or just take time to relax and read.

This day is an opportunity for you to rest and reflect on what is surfacing within you at this time of your life.

The facilitators for the day are Dr Iva Beranek and Carol Casey. Suggested donation to CMH:I is €25. Please bring your own sandwich for lunch and we will provide tea and coffee. The retreat starts at 9.30am and finishes at 4.00pm.

Please note that places must be booked in advance (hello@ministryofhealing.ie).

Compassion card

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The Lord is good to all, and his compassion
is over all that he has made. Psalm 145:9

Tender and compassionate God,
you are our steadfast companion in the joyous times of our lives.

When we rejoice, you celebrate with us;
when we are anxious and afraid,
you offer us a relationship where we can
find courage to face the unknown;
when we weep with sadness,
you are our comforter.

Help us, O God,
to believe that you receive us as we are,
and help us to entrust ourselves,
with all our many struggles and hopes,
to your faithful and abiding care.

Amen.

Contact us to request a copy.

Father in the darkness of these days

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Father, in the darkness of these days
may the light of your love enfold me.

In my weakness and weariness
may the strength of your love support and hold me.

In my confusion and anxiety may the peace of your presence calm me.
That when the mists of despair finally rise and disperse, I may see that
I was never alone, and that your love, your strength and your peace surround me still.

Amen.

Contact us to request a copy.

Hospital card

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Sometimes we want to pray, but it can be hard to find the words.

Whenever I am afraid I will put my trust in you. Ps 56:3

Almighty God, you know me so well, the secrets of my body and soul. Despite my fear and anxiety, help me to trust in you. Bless the doctors and nurses and all who work for my recovery; sustain them in their wisdom and skill that they may be agents of your healing. Amen

Jesus stood still, and called them, saying, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ Matthew 20:32

Jesus, during your life on earth you experienced pain. You prayed to your Father for help in
your struggle. I am in pain now and pray to you for help. Allow me to know your presence in my life. Strengthen my faith and give me the assurance of your everlasting love for me. Amen

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Ps 4:8

Father, in the quietness of this night, grant me rest and sleep, an awareness of your presence and knowledge of your love; that I may wake refreshed and strengthened to face the day ahead. Amen

May the light of God surround you,
the presence of God enfold you,
and the power of God heal you,
today and always.

Contact us to request a copy.

Bereavement Card

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During this difficult time, you may find the following prayers and readings to be helpful.

There is so much that will never now be spoken,
a need to forgive and be forgiven; a need which dwells
within the desire to also speak of gratitude, of love and the pain of parting.
Breathe your life into these longings, Lord Jesus, that even now your gracious
Spirit would bring healing, light and peace.

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.
I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me, that you also may be where I am. John 14:1–4

We give back to you, O God, those whom you gave to us. You did not lose them when you gave them to us, and we do not lose them by their return to you. Your Son has taught us that life is eternal and love cannot die. So death is only a horizon, and a horizon is only the limit of our sight. Open our eyes to see more clearly, and draw us close to you, so that we may know we are nearer to our loved ones, who are with you. You have told us that you are preparing a place for us: prepare us, that where you are, we may be always, O dear Lord of life and death. William Penn

Be gentle with the one who walks with grief. If it is you,
be gentle with yourself. Swiftly forgive;
walk slowly, pausing often.
Take time, be gentle
as you walk with grief.
from Walking with Grief, George MacDonald

Contact us to request a copy.

Integrating the summer into daily life

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The summer may be nearly over but I decided not to be only a visitor this summer and to enter the season as if the quality of my life depended on it. Our everyday life has challenges, so at times we may feel that we need a deeper restoration. Earlier in the year that’s exactly what I felt, but I was not sure if a dream of a longer summer holiday would be possible.

I don’t know how good you are in looking after your own needs, but I needed a push and an encouragement in order to explore the options. Thankfully it all worked out and I am just back from the extended leave over the summer.

I went to Malta for some of it and enjoyed the beauty and the sunshine, but I let it penetrate my soul too. I am always grateful for holidays in sunshine and near the beach, but summer can be so much more. It can also be an opportunity for deep inner renewal where we let God bring the summer into our heart and soul.

There are benefits of merely enjoying the summer externally, like a visitor to its chambers. But it is much more beneficial to internalise some of its qualities, to store it within in the recesses of our being.

We can take in the peace that inner rest brings and integrate it in the centre of our soul, as a gift from God. It is like finding our centre-point and grounding ourself in such a way that we can weather life’s challenges when they come. Whatever was restoring over the last few months, whatever life-giving, healing, or even fun, is what we can internalise and let it nourish us in the seasons to come. It is good to be attentive to where God was present in our days – in smaller or bigger things, because those encounters with Jesus in daily life is what heal us. When we allow the blessings of summer to touch our soul, the summer has fulfilled its purpose much more fully than when we allow it to only touch us on the outside. It is as if deciding not only to be a visitor in the season of summer, but to be a host and welcome the summer inside our flesh and bones.

September leads us towards a time of harvest. While we are grateful for the fruits that the land gives us, we can also gather the fruits that the Lord gave us over the summer and over this last year. We can ponder on those fruits in thanksgiving and take them as a strength for the season of life that is ahead of us.

May God bless you with the eternal summer of His love.

Iva Beranek
Dr Iva Beranek is the Ministry Facilitator for the CMH: Ireland

Wellspring, a taste of God’s goodness

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Wellspring is our one day retreat and recently we offered another one in St Patrick’s Church, Dalkey. It was a rainy Saturday and as I was looking at the pouring rain through the window I was thinking of the talk I gave that morning about Elijah and the value of silence.

When Elijah was at Mount Horeb he realised God was not in the fire, nor in the earthquake, God was not in the wind, in a way I could have also said that God was not in the pouring rain. God was in the sound of sheer silence. And yet that morning observing the rain, I felt the sense of calm, of stilling the inner senses. That day rain actually helped create the silence in which we encounter God’s presence.

During Wellspring we try to create a space for people to meet with God on a very personal level. Out of this relationship with Jesus, healing comes. We each come with different questions and life stories and we share in the silence together. Some of us come affected with the current happenings in the world, seeking God in the midst of it. Two of us who are facilitators, Carol and myself, we don’t provide answers. We offer input that facilitates a deep exchange with God, and in that encounter people bring their questions, hopes, need for healing. What happens in Wellspring is often deeper than what we can perceive with our eyes, because it happens in the depths of people’s hearts. Sometimes we get a glimpse of it through the feedback that people give us, but I know that certain experiences where God graces us with His presence and healing are not always easy to put into words.

Every time we offer Wellspring, we have new people coming, and yet some people come back time and again. “Come to the well, the well is deep”, we say. That well is the well of God’s healing presence and whenever we come to it, it is always new. Perhaps that is one of the reasons why some people come back. The prayer practices that we teach and the theological input we offer are easily applicable to everyday life. Each of us can take something from the day and apply it to nurture our prayer life, and to seek deeper healing from God. And yet there is something life-giving when we spend a day in silence with other people. God touches us in a specific way, and it is as if tasting some of His goodness. “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8). In this world marred with evil, tasting God’s goodness enflames hope and it brings healing to our heart and soul.  

Iva Beranek
Dr Iva Beranek is the Ministry Facilitator for the CMH: Ireland