Health - IEA Reut-Sadaqa Interfaith Encounter Group on 21st January 2008:

IEA Reut Sadaqa met on January 21st at the Swedish Theological Institute. The theme of this meeting was "Healing" in our traditions.

This was a very wide subject that has many sources in the New Testament as well as the Old Testament. Jesus' whole life was working miracles and healing the sick, not only did he engage in physical healing but spiritual and psychological as well.

Participants shared their personal experiences with feeling whole and of healing: If we are at peace with ourselves, it radiates to others. Positive thoughts can heal. Visualization of positive thoughts can heal. Peace is healing. "Shalom" or "peace" = "shalem" which means "whole" – and that is the ultimate health. If something is imbalanced, it becomes unhealthy. Sometimes we need to get in touch with our bodies to eat healthier in order to heal. A symptom gives you a message of some kind. If you don't hear it emotionally, you 'hear' it physically.

Sometimes there are people who have the gift of healing as in laying of the hands, or the sacrament of the sick. You can receive a gift of healing - "you will be healed if it's really going to be a redemption for you".

If one cannot be healed, the Apostle Paul said of that person, "then you are called to enter into the mystery of the suffering of Christ."

There is a charismatic renewal in the Catholic Church – people came back to the church through the healing process.

The gift of faith can help heal when faced with a loved one who is ill or dying.

In the Jewish tradition there is a blessing that is said after going to the bathroom thanking God for making sure that everything in our body functions as it should.

That evening marked the eve of the Jewish New Year for Trees, so during our break we ate traditional dried fruits and nuts.
 

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