Preached to by the Birds

I never preached to the birds, but once the birds preached to me. I was an Anglican priest, and I had been invited to take part in a healing service for a woman who was very ill. I was dubious. Who was I to heal anyone? I worried that I would pray for her and nothing would happen. I was nervous that she would expect healing and that the lack of healing would weaken her faith and it would be my fault. I was full of doubt.

So I was walking over to the church for Evening Prayer and I was praying my rosary saying the Jesus Prayer and sort of contemplating as I walked along, and suddenly I heard the birds singing. To be specific I heard one particular bird call. The bird was cheeping a repetitive and rhythmic chant, and in my head I heard as it chirped, “Matthew 9.22. Matthew 9.22. Matthew 9.22” Of course the bird didn’t say, “Matthew 9:22” but the rhythm and sound was like that and that is what I heard in my head. It was very persistent and the bird seemed to fly along beside me as I walked.

So when I got to church I got a Bible and looked up Matthew 9:22. It said, “Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that moment.”

I went to the healing service, took part and the woman received healing.

True story.