joy of nine9

Almighty God, you have made us for yourself,
and our hearts are restless
till they find their rest in you;
so lead us by your Spirit
that in this life we may live to your glory
and in the life to come enjoy you forever;-  St. Augustine

Over the years, I have attended many retreats and Masses, followed by healing prayer led by Fr. Albert Macpherson. For over 30 years, Father Albert Macpherson O.S.A. has traveled the globe on a healing mission. He takes his special healing ministry to parishes and provides parish communities with healing Masses and retreats.

One Mass I attended a few years ago was especially memorable. After Mass, dressed in a black cassock, using holy water, holy oil and the traditional prayers of the Church, Father simply blessed the people with God performing wonderful miracles in his wake.

Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me—or at least believe on account of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. (John 14:12)

Somehow we have forgotten the power of these sacramentals; we no longer expect grace and healing to come through a sprinkle of holy water or the blessing of a priest. Yet, in the early Church, this was the norm. The Acts of the Apostles are simply a witness to the reality of new life in the power of the Risen Christ.  We read in Acts-

God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. (Acts 19:11)

As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.

Later during the sermon, Father Albert read numerous quotes from Saint Augustine, a saint who knew HOW to worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth. Father’s words, as well as the testimonies of people who have been miraculously healed, stirred the longing in all of our hearts for God’s love. Inexplicably, throughout the entire Mass, tears flowed. God’s presence permeated the Church; His love touched people in secret.

We sang this worship song “Come, Now is the Time to Worship” before mass. This song never fails to move me to tears and trigger a deep hunger for more of His presence.

Have you ever just listened to this song?

Come, now is the time to worship. Come, now is the time to give your heart.
Oh, come. Just as you are to worship.
Come just as you are before your God.
Come. One day every tongue will confess
You are God.

One day every knee will bow.
Still, the greatest treasure remains for those
who gladly choose you now.[Repeat]

Although not written by a Catholic, this song echoes the sentiments of Saint Augustine himself: