When Jesus taught people about his Father’s love for them, he showed this love through healing.

He healed the sick, brought consolation to the suffering, and forgave sins. The Church—the Body of Christ—is a sign of God’s loving presence in the world today. That’s why two of our seven sacraments, Penance and Anointing of the sick are called Sacraments of Healing.

Through the sacrament of Penance, our friendship with God is restored and healed when we have damaged it by sinning. It’s not a kind of healing you can always see. However, when we act in a way that is contrary to the truth or contrary to the love we should have for ourselves, for each other, and for God, it hurts us in a very real way. In the sacrament of Penance, Jesus waits for us—just as he waited to teach the crowds about God’s love and bring them peace through his forgiveness.

The Anointing of the Sick is the other sacrament of healing. When people are very sick, or have lived a long life, they often have a lot of pain. They might even be afraid or frustrated. In the Anointing of the Sick, Jesus gives extra courage and hope to these people. Their illness may not go away, but they can know for sure that God is with them always to help them and their families.

Jesus loves each of us very much. When we go to him, he wants to heal us in a way that will bring us closer to him.