Picture: Jesus healing woman
We are waiting for news from the latest PET scan from last week. I wrote earlier about shifting from the negative emotions to the reasoning mind (either it is a one or a zero) for making healthy decisions and maintaining a calm mind. The reasoning mind can then meditate and gain access to the inspiring Super-conscious mind.
There is something more than working with the mind in my thoughts today, it is the very interesting role of faith. Jesus said, “For assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20) This is a bold thought from the master!
And what does it mean? Surely there are those who claim to have faith, faith in a savior or a deity, but can they move mountains? Jesus must have had a tremendous experience that made him be able to make such a fantastic proclamation!
Is faith the power of mind—which is remarkable, but how remarkable is the mind alone? One of the great problems experimental scientists have is accounting for the placebo effect; an effect that is due to the patient’s belief they have been given a treatment, such as a drug, while in fact they have been given a placebo, perhaps only a sugar pill. The patient becomes well without the “real” treatment; the role of belief is one of the most understudied effects in medicine. The placebo effect can happen with people from varied backgrounds; those with religious convictions and those without any.
But faith is more than mind. Faith connected Jesus with a woman seeking healing in an entirely unconscious way on his part. Out of many in a crowd, Jesus felt the power of God flow through him to one woman:
25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,
26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?
31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.
33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
Time and again Jesus ascribes healings that passed through him to the recipient’s faith. Faith—faith the size of a mustard seed, a tiny seed that can grow into a tremendous tree. It is something to think upon, to meditate on. I have meditated on faith many times down through the years and there have been different levels of understanding unfolding before me from its deep mystery.
Belief is something of the mind, but faith comes from some place more fundamental to our being. Faith connects the mind, in a viable way, to the supreme power of the Creator, and in that connection the higher power of Grace flows. The direction that Grace goes can be interactive; we may direct that power through our intention, such as when we pray for another, or the inner power will also direct us, as when virtue goes out of us spontaneously.
Faith is not simply desire or belief; it is true contact with God. Such contact requires not only Grace on Spirit’s side, but purification on the human side. Once when Jesus’ disciples were unable to cast out lunacy in a man’s son, Jesus pointed out their failure was due to the disciple’s unbelief; the kind of faith needed for this particular situation required preparation and purification through fasting and prayer.
Through deeper meditation the aspirant achieves true God-contact; a knowing connection grows and convinces the devotee down to the cellular level that God is with him or her. When the power of God passes through that devotee then healing of the body, mind and spirit occurs; also courage, clarity of mind and purpose, and joyful bliss can be transmitted. With a clear connection to God mountainous obstacles are removed—and if God wills it, physical mountains tumble down as well.
Attunement to God’s will makes all actions taken by the devotee for the highest good of all. There are times when change does not come, even if it is wanted by the disciple. Not everyone who came to Jesus was healed, and even in his own life Jesus asked if the cup of crucifixion might be taken away, but in the greatest moment of surrender the Master said, “Not my will, but thine, be done.” (Luke 22:42) There are times when the drama must unfold; that will be for the highest good of all.
This morning, all these thoughts about faith are passing through me while I wait on the results that will determine the next phase of life for this body. My faith is that all that is unfolding is for the highest good of all. I know that my part is to perceive only perfect health; in body, mind and spirit. In my touching the fabric of God’s Being I feel peace. I feel the love and prayers you send me, that joins you to me and me to you, and in that love I feel my infinite Beloved. Thus, riches stream to me, and this very moment is perfect.
Thank You, O’ Lord, for Your virtue flows to all, bringing Your perfection to all receptive hearts. Bless Your children with perfect faith; ever in God Christ Gurus.