A Healing Word

 

A little over a year ago I was commissioned as a Healer in the Celtic Christian Church. The office of Healer is one of the “minor orders” into which candidates for the Priesthood may be entered as they progress through their formation. In the Celtic Christian Church this may also be a permanent office, one may be commissioned as a Healer, for example, if one wishes to consecrate his or her career in the health profession. As another example, someone may be commissioned as a Lector in order to bring the graces of a sacramental commission of the Church to their teaching career.

 

As a seminarian, for me being a Healer is one step of many along the road of formation and, hopefully, the sacrament of Holy Orders. I also pledged to endeavor to live as a Healer: to find ways to bring healing or wholeness to others in my thoughts, words, and deeds. This does not mean that I ever intended to go around “laying hands” on people or screaming at demons in every shadow! While I am perfectly willing to pray for anyone, including through touch, most of my opportunities to act as a healer are when I try my best to be open to potential “healing moments” whenever I may encounter them.

 

Today, for example, I encountered a “healing moment.” I went to the corner drug store to make a small purchase. It was quite hot outside and the customers, including me, all looked like they’d stepped out of an oven. Typically, when people are uncomfortable, I’m sure I was not the only one who felt just a bit irritable and impatient. The counter clerk appeared to share our irritability.

 

Having been well trained by my very frugal spouse, I watched the prices scroll on the small screen above the cash register and immediately spotted a price mismatch. I advised her that the items she was passing through the scanner were on sale. The clerk rolled her eyes, sucked a little air through her teeth and picked up a microphone to call for a price check. Her tone of voice was consistent with the behaviors I have described. Behind me, I heard a murmur and shuffling of feet. Glancing back, I could see that my fellow customers were very unhappy about the delay. The irritable feelings were sweeping through the small throng.

 

I saw this as a “healing moment” and seized the opportunity.

 

“I just want to all to know that I did this on purpose!” I announced in a loud, cheerful voice. “I saw all of you standing behind me and purposefully put these sale items on the counter so that our checker would have to call for a price check… I wanted to give all of you a few more minutes to enjoy the air conditioning before you have to go back out there.”

 

There was a general chuckle. Shoulders eased downward and tense muscles relaxed. A handful of individuals became a group of people enjoying a shared experience. Even the clerk smiled and apologized to me for “being crabby.” Lo and behold, the price check verified my claim to a sale price and we concluded our business with a little small talk, and then wished one another a good day.

 

I know that this is not much. But I would invite you to consider how many “healing moments” each of us encounters in an ordinary day. If all of us who call ourselves Christian, or even men and women of good will, would grasp these tiny opportunities to bring a little levity, to offer a touch of empathy, to sincerely wish one another a good day… the world would be that much closer to the realization of God’s Plan.