Season of Joy - Healing Those Near to Us | Mark 2:2-4 by Lauren Hackman-Brooks


Watch and listen on YouTube or simply listen to the audio podcast. To share this prayer meditation, copy the Share link below.


Introduction by Fr. Michael

Welcome to the Fourth Week of Easter in our Season of Joy series.

So often, when we begin to pray, our first instinct is to turn inward—to bring before God our own needs, our struggles, our hopes. There is nothing wrong with this. It is natural. It is human. And God welcomes it.

Lauren Hackman-Brooks leads us into a deeper, more expansive way of loving through prayer. Drawing from the Gospel of Mark (2:2–4), she recalls the friends who carried the paralytic to Jesus—lowering him through the roof because he could not reach the Lord on his own.

Lauren first invites us to pray for those close to us—those we know and love who are suffering. Like the friends in the Gospel, we are called to carry them to Jesus, trusting in His healing presence.


This is the grace of the Fourth Week of Easter:
To lay down our burdens and take on the yoke of Christ.
To live in the intimacy of His friendship.
To carry others in love through prayer.

As you enter these meditations, allow your prayer to unfold…
from surrender,
to friendship,
to intercession.

And in that unfolding, may you discover the deep and abiding joy of the Risen Christ!

1st Meditation by Lauren Hackman-Brooks
Healing Those Near to Us | Mark 2:2-4

Click YouTube to watch, or Podcast to simply listen.

To share this meditation, click the button below and and share that page with a friend. The page looks like this email but won't risk an accidental unsubscribe.


Lauren Hackman-Brooks is a listener, writer and facilitator steeped in Ignatian spirituality. She appreciates snow-covered pine trees, a house full of people she loves, and a well-formatted document. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Lauren lives in Spokane, Washington with her family and works for the Jesuit Schools Network of North America.

Email Preferences

If you would like to opt-out of the Easter audio series of guided healing prayers, please click here.

Heart to Heart, A Catholic Media Ministry

Inspire Believers. Evangelize Seekers. Foster Disciples.

Read more from Heart to Heart, A Catholic Media Ministry

Evangelize Seekers. Inspire Believers. Foster Disciples. Corpus Christi Jesus gives us the gift of his heart to sustain us. *NOTE* In today's homily the audio for the Gospel reading was too low and not useable. Click here to read the full Gospel passage if you wish. John 6:51-58 SHARE INSTAGRAM YOUTUBE HTOH.US Fr. Michael's Public Schedule 8:15 AM Mass - Most Wednesdays @ St. Anne's in Barrington June 19 - 20, 2026 The Spiritual Heart of Women September 18 - 20, 2026 Charismatic Retreat: A...

Chapter 2 - The Student Body Fr. Jim learns the devastating news that his cancer has metastasized and spread to his right lung ... listen to this chapter by clicking here or the arrow below. In case you missed them Listen to the Introduction (about 16 min) Listen to Chapter 1 (almost 16 minutes) If you would like a physical copy of Fr. Jim's book for yourself or to give someone else, you can find it on our website: htoh.us/shop. Opt Out of Receiving Lessons Emails CLICK HERE if you don't want...

Starting today and continuing on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the next 5 weeks, Heart to Heart presents the audio book version of Lessons from the School of Suffering. This profound book, written more than 25 years ago, continues to be a source of healing and comfort to those experiencing all types of suffering. Listen to the Introduction (about 16 min) Listen to Chapter 1 (almost 16 minutes) If you would like a physical copy of Fr. Jim's book for yourself or to give someone else, you can find...