Gospel Healing in a Time of World Suffering

Severe poverty and deepening divides of income, war and violence, racism and other forms of hatred and systemic discrimination, a ravaged creation:  All of these cry out for healing – but what is the healing we need?

How does this moment of societal crisis and vulnerability force us to ask deeper questions about who we are and what kind of world we need?    And how are we engaging in healing practices for ourselves and for creation? How are we evolving spiritually to meet the challenges of our time? How do we find enough stillness to listen to the call within amidst the chaos?

During this retreat we will explore together several Gospel accounts of Jesus’ healings, reflecting on how these stories speak to our society and world.  Our time together will also include spiritual practices and rituals for grounding, calming the nervous system, and centering in order to listen deeply to empower us to be faithful disciples and healers in this time of manifold crises.

This course will be co-facilitated by Will O’Brien and Johanna Berrigan.  Will is coordinator of The Alternative Seminary and a member of the Vine & Fig Tree community in Philadelphia.  Johanna is a physician assistant and member of the House of Grace Catholic Worker Community and Free Clinic in Philadelphia as well as an Interfaith Minister, and hospital chaplain.