Why do priests refuse 'laying on of hands' faith healing instead saying 'if God wills it'?

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Today’s Readings quote Mark 16:
These signs will accompany those who believe: […] They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.
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I have asked multiple priests to do this and they have all refused, instead telling me to pray for healing and if God wills it He’ll heal, but to not expect healing. Why do they refuse? Is it lack of faith? Why would a priest lack faith, and what does it even mean to say a priest lacks faith? I mean, if a priest were to lack faith, then wouldn’t he apostatize or quit his ministry?
 
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These readings are the precedent for two things in the modern Church.
The first of these is anointing of the sick, which you can ask for if you are seriously ill/going into surgery, along with other circumstances.
The other is the whole pentocostal/charismatic vibe, which many priests may not feel comfortable doing. It’s nothing against you. The charismatic catholic community is small but growing.
 
You are aware of the magnificent power of suffering? What if your affliction is God’s given Cross for you to bear? If you find no relief, study the great suffering mystic Saints, John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila. They embraced, even enjoyed suffering for their love of God, as it bonded them so completely and ecstatically to the Lord.

As an alternative, you may attend a healing or charismatic mass, where the priest routinely prays and lays hands on. Just be ready to hear the answer “No” or “Not yet.” What you actually receive may shock you.

But, you must abandon yourself as completely as possible to God’s providence, up to allowing Him to increase your suffering, or even to call you home. If the door is not open, He will not enter your heart.
 
This is referring to the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. The Priest or Bishop most definately lays his hands on the person to anoint them.
 
I don’t see how to believe such things without first knowing that God is
real. I have not been able to come to such knowledge.
 
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Have you gone before our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament? There is both temporal and eternal benefit. Find when your local parish offers adoration, then just go. Sit in His presence, even if - and perhaps especially if - you find it impossible to believe. Ask for illumination, that He reveal His presence to you. Then, be as patient with him as He has been with you. He is waiting for your heart to be open and your will to submit.

It may occur almost instantly, or takes weeks, months or even years. When you receive your answer, you will be changed. Suffering will take on a completely new dimension. You will know that it has purpose and is redemptive. You may begin to understand how some could enjoy suffering. In fact, it is one of the most Christ-like things that we ever do.

We all suffer. How blessed it is to suffer with understanding than to suffer without.
 
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We just had a healing mission and the Augustinian priest did the laying of hands.
Many people fainted.
Was bizarre.

It’s not my thing.
PO18guys’s answers are great/
 
Did it seem to you to be only human psychology, power of persuasion, not
the work of the Holy Spirit?

I know some confuse glossolia (speaking gibberish) with speaking in tongues
(actual languages inspired by God) so I am eager to hear of your experience.

I had one experience many years ago, and the leader was doing the former,
saying literally “hat-chattity chattity chatta chitty chatta” repeatedly,
with minor variations, to the point it occurred to me that there wasn’t any
clear grammar or structure to what he was saying, that he was just fixating
on a few particular sounds…
 
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It looks like fainting, but is not. It is a total relaxation, the peace which surpasses all understanding. It is submission to the Holy Spirit. That is why they called it being “Slain in the spirit.” A less shocking term is “Resting in the Spirit.”

No Benny Hinn nonsense. No Fus Ro Dah. This is real, and profoundly spiritual. As you say, it may not be for everyone, but I can testify that it lit my faith on fire. But, I had to lose my fear and trust God.
 
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YES! That’s what the priest called it “resting in the Spirit”.
The people who are open to this were all members of a large Hispanic Charismatic group at our parish. They were all very happy, and moved to tears during much of the Mission. They sang with VIGOR! Which made ME really happy. The prayers the priest led us in were absolutely breathtaking. Simple and yet profound.
It was anew, eyeopening experience for me and much of the parish. I think even our Pastor was a bit taken aback, as he also had never seen this in person before. By the time the MIssion had ended the parish was all abuzz.
Thanks for your explanation! Hope you are well!
Clare
 
It’s happened to me twice at Charismatic meetings…

It’s simply indescribable
 
The working of the Holy Spirit can and even does appear very strange to us. The supernatural always does. We are natural and cannot comprehend the supernatural. Look at the reaction of each and every person to the appearance of an angel. All, even the Blessed Virgin were shocked, amazed, troubled. Many fell to the ground in terror. The guards at the tomb in Matthew 28 froze as if dead men. The supernatural is “naturally” incomprehensible and thus, fearful to us.

What I can tell you is that about 10 years ago, I went to a Charismatic mass held at a Jesuit school campus. We spent the morning in praise of God - particularly the Holy Spirit. During lunch, we had opportunity for confession.

During my confession, the priest engaged me in some conversation and counseling. Naturally, I began to argue and oppose his words - and all at once it struck me that I was not arguing with the priest, but with Christ! An utterly shocking revelation.

As he pronounced absolution, I suddenly began shaking violently. So much so, that he took hold of me to keep me from falling from my chair. As he did, he looked heavenward and exclaimed, “Oh, Holy Spirit!”

I began sobbing in a manner reminiscent of Peter at his denial. It was the most profound and ‘soul-shaking’ experience that I have ever had. I shall not - I cannot - ever forget it.

Things like this stick with you.
 
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It is a protestant thing that crept into the Church a few decades ago. Emotionalism, has no part in Mass.
 
This may be a topic for another thread, but how does one submit fully to the Holy Spirit? I struggle with letting go and fully trusting.
 
It’s part of the Charismatic movement. Priests in good standing do this with the approval of the Bishops. And it is done after the Mass is over. It is not related to the anointing of the sick.
 
I think (and this is simply my personal opinion) that it’s a misunderstanding of the speaking in tongues of the Scriptures surrounding Pentecost and the preaching to all nations.

There are load of people here that claim to have witnessed it. Not calling them liars, but I’m a skeptic.
Peace.
 
Verse 30.

And just to be clear, the Greek “me” at the beginning of the question makes it clear that the expected answer is “No.”
 
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