Last weekend we hosted, at St Michael and All Angels, Bartley Green, a weekend of teaching on healing, led by Bishop Graham Dow. Bishop Graham was formerly the Bishop of Carlisle and therefore formerly my own Bishop. Those reading this blog entry will probably guess that whilst the Bishop and I agree wholeheartedly that God heals; there are several nuances between us. I did for example want to add the word ‘sometimes’ between ‘God’ and ‘heals’. There were around 40 participants; many of whom were moved and responded well to the weekend. Yesterday morning, at our traditional Parish Eucharist, Bishop Graham spoke (for perhaps a little too long), but around half of the congregation… elderly… young… white…. black…. responded to the offer of prayers for healing.

I have no idea at all what was prayed for, or whether people went away ‘healed’. What seems to be true is this. People responded to the invitation. How many times do people simply not respond because they are not invited? People, in the response, were listened to? How many times when people respond are they not listened to? Being listened to can make someone feel alive again; it is a healing, indeed a salvific experience. People responded because hope was offered? The offer of hope seems to be something central to the mission of the Church, the mission of God.

I think I might try to remember these things.