The Laying Of Hands..

[MarkKurallSchuenemann]

[quote name='Ed Normile' timestamp='1295071068' post='2200266']
Laying on of hands seems to me to scream, hey look at me I am praying for this person, I hope I can heal them and then tell my friends I healed them. To me its like Exceptional ministers of Holy Communion, another thing brought into the church to supposedly enhance the mass and attract more people. I have noticed since all these changes brought in to enhance the church and bolster participation by bringing in new people, the church has been instead losing people and consolidating churches (closing) as the are not able to sustain their properties due to lack of people.


If I were satan and wanted to hurt the Church, I would first try to destroy the youth, maybe get the visible presence and influence of the nuns from the schools, that would take care of the future, then attack the present by removing the old ones by making them feel uncomfortable by changing things to make them feel left behind or out of place, of course causing scandals to occur amongst the shepherds would be another nail in the coffin.

ed
[/quote]

But your church will stand against the gates of hell, right?

Funny thing, I've stood against the gates of hell more than a few times, and I know God has prevailed over them. I'm not threatened by anything this world or the next can bring against me, because God is faithful.

[Ed Normile]

[quote name='MarkKurallSchuenemann' timestamp='1295071333' post='2200272']
But your church will stand against the gates of hell, right?

Funny thing, I've stood against the gates of hell more than a few times, and I know God has prevailed over them. I'm not threatened by anything this world or the next can bring against me, [b]because God is faithful[/b].
[/quote]


True, but alas, many times his people are not.

ed

[IcePrincessKRS]

[quote name='CatherineM' timestamp='1295065321' post='2200229']
When I talked about touching people, I wasn't really talking about a formal laying on of hands. That kind of thing would creep me out. I think that is one of the creepiest things about the children's liturgy here. They sing this song, and the congregation raises their hands to "bless the children" going off to hear what they should be staying in the church to hear.
[/quote]

Yeah, I didn't think you meant it that way. As Cmom noted I wouldn't have an issue with a hug post prayer, or even holding a friend's hand during a prayer if they needed comfort. I don't like hand holding as a prayer posture, though.

[quote name='ThePenciledOne' timestamp='1295068643' post='2200247']
Obviously at Franciscan University, I see a lot of this, and I know some here have presupposed ideas and what not concerning this, but the thing to keep in mind is that humanity is a physical being besides spiritual.

The Spirit sometimes works deeper, (though as stated not limited by) with physical touch such as this.

I've prayed over others, not trying to bless them or something like that, only trying to keep the Holy Spirit within me grounded for Him to work. Often, the first question is asked if the one being prayed over is comfortable with that sort of thing and if not then we don't go any further than merely standing there praying. Whenever I become prayed over, I am open to anything the Lord has, since as He's shown me at least to be that open for Him anyway.

But that is just my take. : )
[/quote]

But how often do people actually ASK if they can lay their hands on you or "pray over" you? In my experience next to never. It's happened once (that they asked), and I wasn't so much asked as it was told that they were going to do it ("Come up here, we're going to pray for you"). It was all rather more charismatic than I was comfortable with, and when they started anointing me with oils and laying their hands over me I wanted to run screaming.

Maybe you are just extremely polite about it all.

[Lil Red]

[quote name='SOM' timestamp='1294991734' post='2199997']
Basically I have this question and i didn't know what to believe.
SO i look in the CCC.
and it would only reffer to the laying of hands for Priestly Ordinations or Confirmations and this of the sort.
so my conclusion at this point is that it should be for priests and bishops.


so i wanna see what you guys think.
please and thanks.
[/quote]
i voted: no, there is no limit, and yes.

but my last answer i want to qualify - there is nothing wrong with laying on of hands during ordination or if it is done by a priest or a bishop. but for lay people to extend their hands in blessing during a Mass - ummm, no.

[ThePenciledOne]

[quote name='IcePrincessKRS' timestamp='1295103619' post='2200331']
But how often do people actually ASK if they can lay their hands on you or "pray over" you? In my experience next to never. It's happened once (that they asked), and I wasn't so much asked as it was told that they were going to do it ("Come up here, we're going to pray for you"). It was all rather more charismatic than I was comfortable with, and when they started anointing me with oils and laying their hands over me I wanted to run screaming.

Maybe you are just extremely polite about it all.
[/quote]

Well, all prayer team ministry at Franciscan University is asked to go through such training and motions such as this. I'm sorry for the experiences you have had, but I mean not everyone as we see is faithful nor follows the exact rules to such things. I mean, its more than once that I have seen someone complain of liturgical abuse and what not here on the board. So, yes people will be people and not follow the rules exactly or proceed as they have always done without concern of those that are there to be prayed over which is a shame.

But, I still find the laying of hands during prayer for someone, is an important thing for it allows the person not to be so incredibly disconnected (in my opinion) from those that genuinely care to pray for you and for the Holy Spirit to intercede and move.

[LadyOfSorrows]

During Praise and Worship at the university, we'll get into groups of 3 or 4 and pray for one another. It's not weird to hold someone's hand, or for someone to put their hand on your knee (if they ask first). I never thought that it seemed like we were giving each other blessings, yet simply being there for one another, letting the person know that we care. There isn't any harm in this at all. I am a little wary of being touched as well, but this is just a caring gesture and I don't mind it very much.

Edited January 16, 2011 by LadyOfSorrows

[IcePrincessKRS]

[quote name='LadyOfSorrows' timestamp='1295138726' post='2200525']
At the university, well have praise and worship, and at the end we'll get into groups of 3 or 4 and pray for one another. It's not weird to hold someone's hand, or for someone to put their hand on your knee (if they ask first). I never thought that it seemed like we were giving each other blessings, yet simply being there for one another, letting the person we're praying for know that we care. There isn't any harm in this at all. I am a little wary of being touched as well, but this is just a caring gesture..
[/quote]

I don't think that that's what the question meant. I interpreted it as literally laying your hands on a person's head, or shoulders (or otherwise), or hovering your hands above them (similar to how a priest would) as though they are conferring a blessing. That makes me decidedly uncomfortable. Friendly, caring gestures I am fine with.

[Winchester]

fruitcakery

[MarkKurallSchuenemann]

[quote name='Winchester' timestamp='1295141197' post='2200553']
fruitcakery
[/quote]

LOL!

[Vincent Vega]

[quote name='MarkKurallSchuenemann' timestamp='1295069093' post='2200248']
I bet you think lots of things are silly and smacks of something you don't like, don't you!
[/quote]
Many things are indeed silly.

[MStar]

I find it very comforting for someone to lay their hand on me if they're praying for me. It's like a physical sign of God touching me through their prayers. And raising my hand over someone (if they are comfortable with it, or at Church if the priest asks us to) helps me to focus on the person/people I'm praying for, and makes me more aware that I am just a vessel for God to work through. I don't think of it at all as conferring a priest-like blessing.