Do you know the two sacraments of healing?

Despite the unlimited grace given through our personal relationship with the Trinity in the Sacraments of Initiation, we continue to sin and still encounter disease and death. For this reason, God comes to us with healing in two additional and unique ways.

Confession: The sacrament of confession, penance or reconciliation offers us a unique encounter with God in our sinfulness. God loves us so much that he has come to reconcile us with himself. And he did it knowing full well that we are sinners in need of forgiveness and mercy.

Confession is an opportunity for a real and personal encounter with God in the midst of our sin. It is God's way of telling us that He personally wants to tell us that he forgives us. When we confess our sins and receive absolution, we should see that this is an act of a personal God who comes to us, listens to our sins, erases them and then tells us to go and never sin again.

So when you go to confession, make sure you see it as a personal encounter with our merciful God. Make sure to hear him speak to you and to know that it is God who enters your soul by erasing your sin.

Anointing of the Sick: God has special care and concern for the weak, the sick, the suffering and the dying. We are not alone in these moments. In this sacrament, we must strive to see this personal God come to us in compassion to take care of us. We have to hear him say he's close. We must let him transform our suffering, bring the healing he wants (especially spiritual healing) and, when our time comes, to let him fully prepare our soul to meet him in heaven.

If you find yourself in need of this sacrament, make sure you see it as this personal God who comes to you in time of need to offer you strength, mercy and compassion. Jesus knows what suffering and death is. He lived them. And he wants to be there for you in these moments.