The business of healing

I consider myself a man of faith. I believe in God and as a Catholic, I believe or at least I try to believe  what my church teaches.

But I am also a practical and pragmatic guy. Sure, I know that miracles happen every day: the birth of a child, the blooming of a flower, the rising of the sun, the sprouting of a plant, Antonio Margarito lasting 12 rounds, etc. These are all miracles that we have all taken for granted. But when it comes to rising-from-the-dead-cure-the-sick-and-exorcise-the-devil-type of miracles, I must admit, I’m a bit of a skeptic. If there’s one cynic when it comes to these types of Alleluia-praise God-Jesus heals-devil come out-type of healing, it’s me.    I don’t know. I guess I’ve just gotten a bit jaded over the years. I’ve seen so many of these so-called evangelists who claim to heal the sick and, thereafter, turned out to be fakes, or was involved in some sex or corruption scandal. The persons who get healed in those instances are the lawyers they hire to defend themselves.

However, my skepticism was challenged recently to the hilt. A client of mine tapped us to do an AVP regarding a project near Tagaytay City called Monte Maria. My client had donated a big tract of land to a priest named Fr. Fernando Suarez and my team and I were supposed to interview him. So I went to Alfonso, Cavite where Monte Maria is located to see Fr. Suarez. I had heard a lot about Fr. Suarez prior to that trip, about how he had supposedly healed a lot of people who were afflicted with cancer, diabetes, heart ailments, and other dreaded diseases.   I’ve heard stories of him healing very important people business, political and country leaders all of whom vouch that he is, indeed, a true healer. Despite all of that, I was skeptical. But the moment I stepped into Monte Maria and saw the crowd lining up to be touched by this man, I suddenly found myself overcome with emotion. I couldn’t explain it. Before I knew it I was crying like a baby. And I had to run to my car because I didn’t want my staff to see me weeping and sobbing. I really didn’t know what happened to me. My friends say I was “touched by the Holy Spirit.” I tried to give a logical explanation that maybe I pitied the crowd or something. But the more I think about it, the more I am convinced that there was indeed something divine that touched me. A few weeks ago, I would have laughed at that thought. But after that experience, I don’t think it’s a far-fetched idea.

I lined up for the healing session and got touched physically by Fr. Suarez that day. That experience had a profound effect on me, I was humbled. I saw so many people get physically healed instantly. Personally, I didn’t think I needed any healing. I felt fine, physically. But I think Fr. Suarez saw something in me that needed healing my ego, my struggles in the world, my pride, my worldliness, my lack of faith, my anxiety.

Businesses like people need healing hands at times.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s not like my life has turned 180 degrees. It’s not like I had a St. Paul moment wherein I completely revamped my life overnight after falling off a horse. I’m the same guy with the same quirks and crazy inclinations. But now, I have a different perspective. Now, more than ever, I am convinced that there is something beyond this physical world. That there are things that can never be explained and that no matter how we deny it, all of us are in need of healing. And it’s not just us. Companies, organizations, and countries need healing as well. And not just one time healing. We all need continuous healing.   Healing is like eating. It’s a continuous process.

Why is that, you might ask? Because bad things happen everyday. Arguments, harsh words, emotional pains, fights, lawsuits, sufferings, diseases, discomforts, anxieties, and problems happen every day. And if we don’t find a way to heal ourselves, this world will be one living hell.

Over the past few months, I’ve gotten close to Fr. Suarez and we’ve become friends. It has reached a point that I am no longer a face in the crowd for him. If he sees me in a crowd, he’ll call my name out loud. And I consider this a tremendous blessing because he is now helping me in my quest to heal myself of my lack of faith, my cynicism, skepticism, my worldly worries, my passion for the lures of the world. I had a chance to sit down with Fr. Suarez and it’s interesting how this humble, simple man was “handpicked” by God to do this healing mission.

“I wasn’t a particularly religious person. I was ordinary. I even had a girlfriend when I was a teenager. I was a regular guy,” said Fr. Suarez. “But one day, I saw a crippled old woman in front of the church. I asked her ‘Do you want me to pray over you?’ and she said, ‘Yes.’ So I did. I prayed the “Our Father” as it was the only prayer I knew. Then, she just stood up and walked. I was so scared. It totally freaked me out. I told God I didn’t want this kind of a gift. But He told me ‘I didn’t choose you because you are good. You are good for this mission because I chose you.’ I then realized that this is a gift a gift that I must share.” 

Every time I talk to Fr. Do (that’s his nickname) and I would tell him, “Father, when you heal someone…, “ he would immediately cut me off and say, “Hey, I don’t heal it’s God healing I am only an instrument.” Fr. Do is fully aware that this gift is not for him it’s for everyone, and it is his duty to distribute the gift. I once asked him, “Father, if you have a headache, can you heal yourself?” He replied succinctly, “No, I take Tylenol.” Funny.

I think that’s the reason that God continues to work through him. He always attributes everything to God and all his efforts are aimed towards his main goal – which is to give glory to the Almighty. And I think he’s doing a fantastic job. Every week, tens of thousands flock to Monte Maria in Alfonso, Cavite. I think Fr. Do’s desire to share is infecting a lot of people. And I’m one of them.

In conclusion, what relevance does this have on business? After all, I write for the “Business Life” section. This piece should have some relevance to business. What I learned from Fr. Do has everything to do with business.

First, we’re all in the business of healing, every one of us. No exception. Fr. Do said that we all have the power to heal. Maybe not cancer or heart ailments. But all of us have a power to heal one another. With our right attitude, our faith in the Almighty and with prayer. We all have the power to heal heartaches, disappointments, frustrations, and failures. And in business, there’s so much of that. We need to believe that we can be a positive healing force to address all of these negative occurrences be it in business, or our other endeavors.

Second, since we all have that gift of healing, we need to use it. It’s not a privilege, it’s a duty. It’s our obligation to be a healing force in this world. If we cause more pain and heartaches to other people, that means we’re not doing our job.   And when we’re not doing our job there will be consequences to that. Bad consequences.

In conclusion, I’d like to quote the late great Michael Jackson: “Heal the world, make it a better place.” That line can’t be more true than now.

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Thanks for you letters, folks! You may e-mail me at rodhnepo@yahoo.com. By the way, my column, “It’s a Wonderful Life” is now a radio show! You can catch me at 9 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays on DZRJ 810 AM, the first and only all-English news and lifestyle station on the AM band. It’s all about good, positive, empowering stuff without being sappy, cheeky, or preachy. You can also catch it via online streaming at www.rjplanet.com