Christmas Gifts & Graces from God - Through Sacraments and Community

I got two early Christmas gifts from God this year, and they were profound and unexpected graces.

I attended a diocesean retreat day at the local seminary for young adults the Saturday before Christmas. It was an amazing day with themes that struck my heart all centered on the topic “Claimed by Love.” Adoration was in the afternoon with Confession and Healing Prayer teams.

For some time, I have needed healing of mind, body, and spirit. I had longed to be the woman who got to touch Jesus’ garment in the Gospel. Just one touch. The Gospel kept coming up over and over again in my life. How was I to touch Jesus? How was He to touch me? All I know is I craved it.

One of my spiritual guides gave me a clue: in the Sacraments and in community. A different spiritual mentor of mine gave me another clue: Through the energy and prayer of the laity which strengthens us.

Both of these insights together came alive for me. 

I participate in the Advent Prayer Partner program at my parish, and healing was the prayer I asked for this year from my randomly selected partner in the parish. God answered these prayers that were spoken for me through prayer and Sacraments.

The Healing Prayer team of lay faithful prayed with me, put their hands on me, and spoke words of love and healing for me. I felt a warmth and peace overflow in me then and afterwards.

Then when it was my turn to go to confession, I happened to vaguely know the priest, the vocation director for the diocese. It was a beautiful, heartfelt confession, but unlike other confessions, he did something special that no one has ever done for me in this Sacrament. 

He took my hand and held it, covering it with his, and then he took my thumb which had an open wound on it and has for several months, and he blessed it, touched it, and prayed over it. I was overcome with this man’s compassion toward me and my wound -- the wound that can’t seem to heal. Through this priest, Jesus touched it in tender love without hesitation.

Then, the priest offered to give me the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick after Adoration. I had felt called to this sacrament for a few months with increasing urgency, but no opportunity had presented itself. After Adoration, most of the people had left the retreat, and he took me up to the altar and called on a few young adults to come and pray with me and him. They encircled me standing while him and I sat on the altar. He went through the ritual and gave me the Sacrament, and my eyes were closed the entire time. His hands on my head which had ached for months, and my shoulders which were always burdened with pain.

The Sacrament itself is beautiful, which it always has been the two times I have received it, but there was something more God wanted to give me through this Sacrament. Something powerful and moving.

When I opened my eyes at the end, the priest said to me, “Quite a crowd, huh?” At least three to four times as many people were standing around me, smiling, radiating, and encircling me with love and care, and I was astounded. I couldn’t believe what I saw. I didn’t know where they all came from. All that came to mind was: Community. This is community which encircles you in love and strength, and you are not alone. You may be sick. You may be weak. You may be carrying the weight on your shoulders. But your faith community will be your strength and protection. 

As I drove home that day, my various faith communities came to mind. My parish, and the widow friend who comes to give me a hug nearly every time she sees me. My young adult groups. My community prayer center. The faithful friends I have in the workplace. My family. My sincere friends in Christ. My spiritual mentors and guides.

When I reflect back, I think that was one of the most important parts of the healing. Maybe that actually was the healing. Opening myself up to the community of faithful to strengthen me and be part of the healing. 

I was emotionally overcome by these gifts given to me in the Sacraments and still am -- these moments of Jesus touching me in a special way, of healing my sickness and my wounds, and reminding me that the community of faithful is always encircling me and giving me all the strength and love I need -- if I just open my eyes and see them in my midst.

This Christmas, I encountered the Human Christ and the Healer Christ through the Body of Christ. That was the best Christmas gift I could ask for, and perhaps the present I was most in need of. It reminded me of the profound gifts of the Sacraments, and the profound gifts of the faithful who surround us.

My most graced Christmas ever.