Author: Rev. Wells

Greetings and welcome to Corona Sabbath. This is one of the ways the church is endeavoring to offer spiritual support during these challenging days of COVID-19. We appreciate your feedback and suggestions.

In this summer series on the theme “Grounded” we turn the foundations of our faith. This post focuses on service and generosity.

We listen to Mathew 16:21-26 read by Earl Waters. In the traditional translation, Jesus tells his followers to take up their cross and follow me. This does not refer to a burden beyond our control like an act of nature or a random accident or contracting COVID-19. It is a reference to consciously choosing the path of service and self-giving.

Scripture video from Earl

From that time on, Jesus began to explain to the disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, to suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and religious scholars, and that he must be killed, and on the third day raised to life.

Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Rabbi!” he said. “This will never happen to you!”

Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get yourself behind me, you Satan! You are trying to make me stumble and fall. You’re setting your mind not on the things of God, but of mortals.”

Then Jesus said to the disciples, “If you wish to come after me, you must deny your very selves, take up the instrument of your own death and begin to follow in my footsteps.

“If you would save your life, you will lose it; but if you would lose your life for my sake, you will find it. What profit would you show if you gained the whole world but lost yourself? What can you offer in exchange for your very self?”

Reflection from Kim on video

When I started as pastor of Lakewood United Church of Christ in 1991, the church had a custom around baptism. When a child was baptized at the church, they were given a ‘cradle cross.’ This was a small wooden cross that was to be hung near the child’s bed as a reminder of their baptism and their connection to the church.

Then after one baptism, the parents returned the cross to the church. They said that the cross was an instrument of capital punishment. They would no sooner hang the cross in the child’s room than hang a likeness of ‘old sparky’ – the electric chair that was used in Florida for executions. After that, the church did not order anymore cradle crosses and no longer gave them out at baptisms.

Yes, the cross is an instrument of capital punishment. So why does Jesus, who loves us beyond measure, who is the incarnation of universal, unconditional Divine Love, who wants the best for us, instruct his dearest friends and followers to take up their cross? Why would he suggest that they risk death? Death at the hands of an oppressive government reserved for traitors and people who were perceived as a threat to the public? Death that was an excruciatingly painful public humiliation? Why would Jesus suggest that his followers take up their cross?

The heart of Christianity is love. Love for others, love for self, love for neighbors, love for enemies. Love that is expressed in commitment to the common good. Love expressed in acts of service, generosity, and self giving. The book of James puts it this way: “But act on this word – because if all you do is listen to it, you’re deceiving yourselves. . . . Pure, unspoiled religion, in the eyes of our Abba God, is this: coming to the aid of widows and orphans when they are in need, and keeping oneself uncontaminated by this world. . . Be assured then, that faith without works is as dead as a body without a spirit.” [James 1:22, 27, 2:26]

Jesus does not want us to be dead. He wants us to be alive. That’s why he tells us to take up our cross. True life, at its fullest and most joyful, is life spent in service to others. Our highest is good is marked by our generosity; the giving of ourselves as well as our time, talent, and treasure.

So, first we realize that each and every one of us needs to be lifted; needs to be brought to life, needs to be rescued from the numbing, life-sapping impulses of selfishness, self centeredness, and greed. Jesus saw our need as humans for meaning and purpose and belonging. And so he invites us, urges us, begs us, out of love, to take up our cross. To find our highest good by giving ourselves away. He knew that we would experience our greatest worth by helping others, investing ourselves in the wellbeing of the community. Without that, our lives would be hollow, empty, even tormented.

Karl Menninger, one of the premier psychiatrists of the 20th century, was once asked what action he would recommend if a person were to feel a nervous breakdown coming on: Lock up your house, go across the railroad tracks, and find someone in need and do something for him. Menninger is picking up on the teachings of Jesus and other spiritual teachers throughout human history.

The positive effects of the spiritual command to serve have also been verified by science. Studies show that helping others, practicing generosity, and volunteering have direct health benefits such as boosting the immune system, lowering blood pressure, and other positive physiological consequences. This learning has been shared by Norman Cousins and Dean Ornish. It is also documented in the book, The Healing Power of Doing Good: The Health and Spiritual Benefits of Helping Others by Allan Luks and Peggy Payne.

So we see that modern healing professionals are endorsing the teaching of Jesus, take up your cross. This basically amounts to LOVE. Don’t be controlled by fear. Give your life away. Because, as Jesus teaches, to find your life, you must lose it.

The beauty of this teaching is that it applies to everyone. No matter what your circumstances in life, whatever your condition, your status, your class, your education level, your income, every single person can take up their cross. In fact, Jesus, known for taking up his cross, was poor and owned almost nothing and had no financial portfolio. And he sets the pace for taking up his cross. For giving his life away for the good of others. For generosity and service.

Some of you know that our son, Sterling, is an artist in Los Angeles. This spring he was painting the famous California poppies near an urban homeless encampment. Each day he want to his spot to paint. One day he sent us this text:

Some homeless men just gave ME some change and cigarettes because they liked my painting. The opposite of how it usually works.

Sterling received those offerings with gratitude. And in so doing, he affirmed the capacity of the homeless people to be generous and giving. Like the widow’s mite. He validated the humanity of those who are often treated as less than human in our society.

Take up your cross.
Jesus ennobles everyone because everyone can serve in some way. Everyone can listen. Everyone can smile. Everyone can pray. Everyone has something to give to help another.

Take up your cross.
Realize all that you have been given and all that you are. Experience abundance.

Take up your cross.
Free yourself from the the bondage of selfishness and the tyranny of the self. Free yourself from the false construct of scarcity that is perpetuated by the society around us.

Take up your cross.
Experience your commonality with each and every human being because we all suffer and are all in need of comfort and solace from one another. Be enlivened by the connections borne of solidarity and compassion.

Take up your cross.
Be rescued from a small, constricted, paltry existence and experience the expansive life of love, joy, and freedom from fear.

If you hear of a church that does not ask the members to give, to serve, to contribute, to help others, the community, the world, then head the other way. This is not the life giving way of Jesus. This is not the way of joy and abundant life.

And I can say as a pastor for all the many times I have been involved with getting people to volunteer for some kind of ministry, to help the homeless, to advocate for more just policies, to cook a meal for someone in the church, to teach church school, to help with Operation Attack, whatever it is, people always say to me that they got far more out of it than they put into it. It was far more meaningful to them to have participated than the effort that was expended. I have heard that over and over and over again throughout 35 years of ministry. Thirty five years of inviting people to contribute their money to the church and other initiatives to transform society and the lives of those in need. And never have I heard, I’m sorry I gave away that money. No, what I’ve heard again and again is, I am so glad to give. I feel I am making a difference. Let me know what else I can do.

We know that when we reach out to others and engage in service or generosity of some kind, we are the ones who are blessed by the giving.

This is why Jesus tells us to take up our cross. He wants us to have a full life; brimming with joy and meaning and purpose and well-being and significant relationships with people. All the fruits of service and generosity that come from offering ourselves in service to others in whatever shape or form that may take. Amen.

As you listen to the music video featuring Zach Blair-Andrews, you are invited to notice the thoughts and feelings and that arise for you.

(Click HERE if you wish to see the post containing the video of this text.)

Greetings and welcome to Corona Sabbath. This is one of the ways the church is endeavoring to offer spiritual support during these challenging days of COVID-19. We appreciate your feedback and suggestions.

In this summer series on the theme “Grounded” we turn the foundations of our faith. This post focuses on peace.

We listen to the story of the Hebrew midwives found in Exodus 1:8-21 read by Sue Sherwood. This story takes place in Egypt. The new Pharaoh is distressed at how the Hebrew population is growing. He thinks that with increased numbers could come increased threat. So he makes the Hebrews slaves. Then he demands that the midwives kill the male Hebrew babies that are born. We hear about how 2 courageous women respond to this perilous situation.

Scripture video

A new Pharaoh – one who did not know Joseph – came to power in Egypt. Pharaoh said to the Egyptians, “Look at how powerful the Israelites have become, and how they outnumber us! We need to deal shrewdly with their increase, against a time of war when they might turn against us and join our enemy, and so escape out of the country.”

So they oppressed the Israelites with overseers who put them to forced labor; and with them they built the storage cities of Pitom and Ra-amses. Yet the more the Israelites were oppressed, the more they multiplied and burst forth, until the Egyptians dreaded the Israelites. So they made the Israelites utterly subservient with hard labor, brick-and-mortar work, and every kind of field work. The Egyptians were merciless in subjugating them with crushing labor.

Pharaoh spoke to the midwives of the Hebrews – one was Shiphrah, and the other Puah – and said, “When you assist the Hebrew women in childbirth, examine them on the birthing-stool. If the baby is a boy, kill it. If it is a girl, let it live.”

But the midwives were God-fearing women, and they ignored the Pharaoh’s instructions, and let the male babies live. So Pharaoh summoned the midwives and asked why they let the male babies live. The midwives responded, “These Hebrew women are different from Egyptian women; they are more robust, and deliver even before the midwife arrives.” God rewarded the midwives, and the people increased in numbers and in power. And since the midwives were God-fearing, God gave them families of their own.

Reflection from Kim

After hearing the reading from Exodus, you might be wondering why the story of the midwives was chosen for a reflection on the theme of peace. There are many other passages in the Bible that imaginatively offer visions of peace – peace for the individual, for the community, for Creation. But, of course, peace is peace, and it is everywhere, including within us. Awaiting our discovery. Awaiting our notice and attention. Awaiting our devotion. So, we’ll see that there is peace in the story of the midwives.

To me the story of the midwives is a reminder to take off our blinders, our blindfolds that hide our apathy and self-justification, and seize the peace that is available to us.

As the story of the midwives begins, a new administration has come into power in Egypt and things change. The Hebrews, immigrants who have been living peaceably within Egypt and contributing to the economy, are suddenly perceived as threatening enemies. We know how this works. Our current president said of Mexicans coming to the US: “They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists.” So, the new regime in Egypt has it in for the Hebrews and oppresses them by forcing them into slavery to serve the Empire.

But it turns out that forced labor is not enough to subdue the Hebrews. They are still increasing in numbers. They are still strong. Still powerful. So the Pharaoh, a dictator, not benevolent, comes up with a strategy to definitively disempower the Hebrew people: Kill all of the male babies at birth. Period. So, the midwives are instructed to carry out the decree of the tyrannical leader. What will they do?

We are told that the midwives are God-fearing. Some commentators think they are Egyptian. Some think they are Hebrew. What we know from the story is that their commitment to life is what guides their behavior, whether they are Hebrew or Egyptian, or something else. Their calling is to bring forth life, to nurture life, to welcome life into the world. They are not death dealers. And even a threat to their own lives does not undermine their commitment to their fundamental humanity. Isn’t this what peace is really all about? Having a fundamental commitment, an inviolable commitment, to life? Isn’t peace about fostering and nurturing life, respecting life in ALL of its forms, including nature? Being one with the universe.

When we live fully and freely from this commitment to life, we know peace. In ourselves, in our communities, in the world, and with Creation.

The midwives were living in perilous times. And they were being coopted into the tyranny of the Empire. They did not accept the “banality of evil,” Hannah Arendt’s description of the way many of the German people acquiesced to Hitler and the Nazis. The midwives, in their own way, true to their humanity, defied the ultimate earthly authority that had power over them. A dictator who had called for the killing of all Hebrew babies will have no compunction about calling for the killing of two midwives.

These unlikely, marginal characters subvert the seemingly all powerful dictator, the administration, the regime, the Empire. It is a foreshadowing of the way of God throughout history.

Today, millions of people are degraded and enslaved in systems that strangle life. Millions of people who have lived off of the land have been driven from their land and lifestyle by multinational corporations, globalization, Neo liberalism, and empires like the US. The Black Lives Matter movement makes us see and remember how life for people of color in this country is subverted by governmental and economic systems and institutions. The COVID virus is exposing all of the biases and injustices in our society. Millions of victims of economic injustice and rampant legalized greed cry out for self determination and life. Mother Earth is under attack and cries out through all life forms, land forms, and water ways, to be liberated from the shackles of greed, apathy, and abuse.

How can we find peace? Where is there peace? Amidst so much overwhelming turmoil? Here we come back to the midwives. They did what they could do in their circumstance to stay true to their own humanity. And I think that points us to how we can know peace in our tumultuous times. Each of us, where ever we are in the current drama of power abuse and people abuse, can find peace by being true to our fullest, deepest humanity. We do this by respecting the sacredness of the humanity of other people, all life, and all that supports life.

Each and every day presents us with decisions and opportunities. Each and every day we take actions. We work. We shop. We watch. We buy. We consume. We play. We engage. We read. We talk. We eat. We write. We sleep. We drive. We listen. We live our days and nights. And constantly it is before us: Are we being true to our humanity? Are we living out our commitment to the life and well-being of all of Creation? Are we doing what we can do in our context to support life? What we find is that the more we are true to life, to Divine Love, the more we experience peace. When we do what we can do in our given context, when we are the loving people we are created to be, when we foster life, when we are true to our sacred selves, we find peace. Regardless of the circumstances around us.
The midwives did what they could do. They didn’t directly bring down Pharaoh. They didn’t dismantle the whole system of oppression. But they did what they could do. They played their part. They provided inspiration. And eventually, we are told that the purposes of God were fulfilled: the Hebrews escaped from slavery in Egypt and made their way to a new land where they could establish a society of compassion and justice.

Like the midwives, Jesus, too, shows us the way of peace. He, too, lived in an age of oppression and tyranny. His people were under the thumb not of the Egyptians but of the Romans. But the dynamic was similar. His people were treated like commodities, inputs, to be used to further the ends of the Roman Empire. There was no respect for the sacredness of life. Jesus, like Moses, comes to free people from tyranny. The tyranny of Caesar, the tyranny of Empire. The tyranny of oppression and greed for power and wealth. Jesus, like the midwives, is committed to life, in its fullness, for everyone and all of Creation.

Peace comes from seeking to live in harmony with all of life. It does not come from subduing others. Or from abusing power. Or from indulging greed and gluttony for wealth or power. Peace does not come from promoting the interests of some at the expense of others. It does not come from self indulgence. We experience peace when we are liberated not only from the tyranny of outside authorities but from the internal tyranny of a self-centered reality. We experience peace when we do what we can do to live from a commitment to Life. When we, like the midwives, do what we can to bring forth life, to nurture life, to welcome life into the world.

We are told in Exodus that the Hebrew women were “more robust,” they had their babies before the midwives could get to them. May we be more robust in our commitment to life and so that we may find greater peace. Amen.

(Click HERE if you wish to see the post containing the video of this text.)

Greetings and welcome to Corona Sabbath. This is one of the ways the church is endeavoring to offer spiritual support during these challenging days of COVID-19. We appreciate your feedback and suggestions.

In this summer series on the theme “Grounded” we turn the foundations of our faith. this post focuses on forgiveness.

One of the most beautiful stories of forgiveness in the Bible is the story of Joseph. It is a long saga found in Genesis chapters 37-50. For this Corona Sabbath post, Lakewood member Patti Cooksey was asked to write a summary of the story of Joseph. The story is read by Claire Stiles.

We also listen to Matthew 18:21-22, a teaching about forgiveness that is associated with Jesus.

Scripture video

Story of Joseph from Patti

Matthew 18:21-22

Peter came up and asked Jesus, “When a sister or brother wrongs me, how many times must I forgive? Seven times?”

“No,” Jesus replied, “not seven times; I tell you seventy times seven. . . . “

[pause]

Reflection from Kim

Forgive. 70 times 7. Here’s a graphic of what 70 times 7 looks like:

[Show picture.]

Forgive that many times? And the way it is presented in Matthew, you could be forgiving one person that many times, and maybe even for the same transgression. Four hundred and ninety times. Really?

My first reaction is that this is another example of hyperbole, a teaching tool, and a grand statement of the extreme ideal that none of us could ever really be expected to achieve. Sometimes it just seems that Jesus is setting the bar so high who could ever measure up? Who could be that forgiving, or kind, or compassionate, or generous, or understanding? Ok for Jesus, maybe, but hardly realistic for the rest of us.

Is the point here to give us one more thing to need forgiveness for? Forgive me for not being more forgiving. Sorry, God, I haven’t measured up – again. . .

I don’t think so. Here I think the story of Joseph sheds some light. Joseph has every reason to hate his family of origin. To want to do them harm, in retribution, out of vengeance, or simply to get even – justice. He has every justification. There is no reason he should want to help his biological family. Yet, when they come, not recognizing him, he recognizes them and he receives them, helps them, feeds them, forgives them.

All those years in Egypt, Joseph could have been cultivating not only grain for the famine, but his desire for getting even with his brothers who sold him off into slavery. He could have been plotting and waiting for the chance for payback. He could have carried that grudge, harbored that resentment, nursed that vendetta. But evidently, he chose to lay it down. Give it up. Release himself from that burden. Free himself from that hatred. When he sees his brothers, he forgives them. He shows no hesitation. And he is freed.

So in thinking about Jesus and the 70 times 7, maybe the idea here is not to set an unachievable standard but to encourage freedom from the burdens that come with harboring ill feelings, anger, and hostility. These things can be heavy burdens. They can sap energy, and love, and joy. Jesus loves us. He wants the best for us. He wants us to live and love fully and freely. And he knows that holding on to wrongs can get in the way of that. So, he is saying, toss it aside. Give it away. Let go of it. Free yourself from the burden. The word used in Matthew for forgiveness means to send or let off or away. Get rid of it. Create more room in your heart and your life for love and joy and meaningful relationships.

The truth is, all of us are in need of forgiveness in our lives. It is essential. As human beings, we are capable of wrong-doing, of harm, even of great evil. That is our nature. Individually and socially. We are also relational beings. We are meant to live together in community with others. That is how we experience our highest good and our greatest joy. So, with those two givens, it is inevitable that we are going to do things, intentionally or unintentionally, that cause harm to others, that lead to hurt and pain. This happens in our families, in church, in school, in the workplace, in wider society, and in international relations. Harm is caused. Wrong is done. And forgiveness is needed to restore right relationship. Whatever our political affiliation, our religious identity, whatever the hue of our skin, because we are human beings, we will be party to inflicting pain and harm to others in some way. So we must all cultivate the ability to forgive. Our capacity for doing harm must be exceeded by our capacity to forgive so that we can see our way forward in our relationships, taking responsibility as well as being authentic. This is the path to full life and joy.

The readings associated with this post image forgiveness as dry, barren, parched land, that has been drenched with rain and brought back to life. That is a beautiful image for the experience of forgiveness, given or received. It brings us back to life, to joy, to beauty, to goodness. We can flourish and bear fruit.

One of the things that I have found helpful in the process of forgiveness and letting go of bad feelings toward someone is to pray for the highest, good, the well being, the flourishing, of the one whom I need to forgive. Including myself. This helps in letting go of the negative thoughts and feelings. Clearing the way to love and joy.

Jesus wants our highest good. Forgive? Of course. How many times? Seventy times seven which is a way of saying there is no end to forgiveness. Whatever it takes. Because Jesus wants us to have full and abundant life. And whatever we are holding against ourselves or others, whatever others hold against us, is getting in the way of that. Release it all. Let it go. Let refreshing rains wash it all away.

In the opening reading of this post, there is the beautiful verse:

I am not here to pass judgement
or point the finger at anyone.
My name was written in the sand
as one who is forgiven.

I like this image of something written in the sand. We who live in Florida know well what happens to what is written in the sand. It washes away. It is gone. It disappears. This is a wonderful way to think of forgiveness and releasing our negative feelings and hurts and disappointments and failures. All that needs to be forgiven. Write it in the sand and let it be washed away. Maybe we will incorporate something like this into the spiritual life of our church: meeting at the beach, with sticks, to write in the sand and watch as the waves erase our wrongs, take away our burdens, cleanse us, and free us. A new beginning. With beautiful associations to baptism. Or maybe you will go to the beach on your own and engage in such a ritual for pursuing forgiveness.

Out of deepest love, out of the desire for our highest good and our well being, wanting us to flourish and take joy and delight in this life, Jesus begs us to forgive, 70 times 7, or more, so that we are free to live and love as he did. Amen.

Video and text –

As you listen to the music video featuring music from Hilton and the Doors Open to All installation by William, you are invited to notice the thoughts and feelings and that arise for you.

(Click HERE if you wish to see the post containing the video of this text.)

Greetings and welcome to Corona Sabbath. This is one of the ways the church is endeavoring to offer spiritual support during these challenging days of COVID-19. We appreciate your feedback and suggestions.

In this summer series on the theme “Grounded” we turn to one of the foundations of our faith – hope.

We listen to Genesis 21:8-21 read by Kay Rencken???. This is a portion of the story of Hagar. In the narrative, God has promised a child to Abraham and Sarah. They will have many ancestors. But years went by and no child arrived. So Sarah sent her handmaid, Hagar, to Abraham, and a child was born, Ishmael. Subsequently, Sarah herself had a child, Isaac. Family relations deteriorate and Sarah instructs Abraham to exile Hagar and Ishmael. We listen to a portion of that wrenching story. Hagar and Ishmael do survive and become the progenitors of a great people who eventually become associated with Islam.

Scripture video

Genesis 21:8-21

We begin by hearing about Isaac, the child of Abraham and Sarah.

The child grew, and on the day of weaning, Sarah and Abraham held a great feast. But Sarah noticed the child that Hagar the Egyptian had borne for Abraham, playing with her child Isaac. She demanded of Abraham, “Send Hagar and her child away! I will not have this child of my attendant share in Isaac’s inheritance.”

Abraham was greatly distressed by this because of his son Ishmael. But God said to Abraham, “Don’t be distressed about the child or about Hagar. Heed Sarah’s demands, for it is through Isaac that descendants will bear your name. As for the child of Hagar the Egyptian, I will make a great nation of him as well, since he is also your offspring.”

Early the next morning Abraham brought bread and a skin of water and gave it to Hagar. Then, placing the child on her back, he sent her away. She wandered off into the desert of Beersheba. When the skin of water was empty, she set the child under a bush, and sat down opposite him, about a bow-shot away. She said to herself, “Don’t let me see the child die!” and she began to wail and weep.

God heard the child crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven. “What is wrong, Hagar?” the angel asked. “Do not be afraid, for God has heard the child’s cry. Get up, lift up the child and hold his hand; for I will make of him a great nation.”

Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She went to it and filled the skin with water, and she gave the child a drink.

God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became a fine archer. He made his home in the desert of Paran, and his mother found a wife for him in Egypt.

[pause]

Reflection from Kim

When I hear the word ‘hope’ it brings to mind the line from poet Emily Dickinson – “Hope is the thing with feathers.” Featherweight – light. Not heavy hitting. Seemingly insignificant. Carrying small creatures through the sky on currents of air. Just feathers.

But hope, just a whisper of it, just a seemingly weightless pinion adrift, is what can help us to hold on. Take another breath. Make it another moment. Get through.

The story of Hagar and Ishmael is wrought with the desperation of survival. I would even say that they have abandoned all hope. In this story, it is God that has the hope. The hope for Hagar and Ishmael. The hope for their future. The hope that they will survive. And not only survive, but eventually flourish. And they do.

When life is going along fairly smoothly, we might not think much about hope. Life is good. We don’t have to have aspirations for something else, something different, something more. We aren’t focussed on how to make it through when the song we are hearing is a happy tune.

Hope is important when things have derailed. When the bottom has dropped out. When things are crashing down around us. Like during a pandemic.

President Obama is known for his book, The Audacity of Hope. How was he feeling about hope after the 2016 election? An article in the November 28, 2016 issue of The New Yorker examines Obama’s response to the election. Apparently Obama told staffers in the Oval Office, “‘A lot of you are young and this is your first rodeo. For some of you, all you’ve ever known is winning. But the older people here, we have known loss. And this stings. This hurts.’ He went on, it’s easy to be hopeful when things are going well, but when you need to be hopeful is when things are at their worst.” [“It Happened Here,” David Remnick, The New Yorker, 11/28/2016]

The worst. That’s when we really need hope. Just a feather’s worth. And if we can’t muster it, then it will come to us – from a loved one, a friend, a stranger, an article, a book, an inner insight, a message from nature, a scripture passage. Somehow, when we truly need it most, hope will find us. In the desolate desert. In the garden of Gethsemane. Separated from a loved one dying of COVID 19. Hope is the thing with feathers and it will somehow find its way to us gliding and soaring. It will take us beyond. Giving us a fresh vista. Amen.

(Click HERE if you wish to see the post containing the video of this text.)

Greetings and welcome to Corona Sabbath. This is one of the ways the church is endeavoring to offer spiritual support during these challenging days of COVID-19. We appreciate your feedback and suggestions.

In this summer series on the theme “Grounded” we turn to one of the foundations of our faith – healing.

We listen to a Matthew 4:18-25 read by Chip Cosper, a scripture lesson that tells of Jesus offering healing to the people.

Scripture video

As Jesus was walking along the Sea of Galilee, he watched two brothers – Simon, who was called Peter, and Andrew – casting a net into the sea. They fished by trade. Jesus said to them, “Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of humankind.” They immediately abandoned their nets and began to follow Jesus.

Jesus walked along further and caught sight of a second pair of brothers – James and John, ben-Zebedee. They too were in their boat, mending their nets with their father. Jesus called them, and immediately they abandoned both boat and father to follow him.

Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, teaching in the synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kindom of heaven and healing all kinds of diseases and sicknesses among the people. His fame spread throughout Syria, and people suffering from illnesses and painful ailments of all kinds – those who were demon-possessed, those who were epileptic, those who were paralyzed – were brought to Jesus, and he healed them. Large crowds followed Jesus, coming from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and Transjordania.

[pause]

Reflection from Kim

As we just heard, Jesus was known for healing every disease, every sickness, all those afflicted with various diseases and pains, as well as those who were demon possessed, epileptic, and paralyzed. This kind of scene is mentioned repeatedly in the gospel of Matthew. Here are a few examples:

That evening they brought to Jesus many who were possessed with demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and cured all who were sick. 8:16

Then Jesus went about to all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kindom, and curing every disease and every sickness. 9:35

Many crowds followed Jesus, and he cured all of them. 12:15

When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. 14:14

Great crowds came to Jesus, bringing with them the lame, the maimed, the blind, the mute, and many others. They put them at his feet, and he cured them, so that the crowd was amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel. 15:30-31

In yet another reference, we are told:

Large crowds followed him, and he cured them there. 19:2

And finally, in chapter, 21,

The blind and lame came to him in the temple, and he cured them. 21:14

With all of these references to healing the masses in the gospel of Matthew, you’d think there was a pandemic happening!

Yes, medical science was less advanced then and there probably were a lot of health issues. But there was also a very firmly entrenched understanding of illness as the consequence of sin. Sickness, blindness, being lame, possessed by demons, all of these conditions were seen as a consequence of separation from God, of violating God’s laws. Physical infirmity was seen as a form of punishment from God. So, many, many people who were sick or infirm in some way were generally ostracized, marginalized, and devalued. They were seen as bad people. They were shut out from the blessings of God. And, evidently, there were a lot of people labeled in this manner.

The numerous references to Jesus healing the masses are intended to undermine this idea of connecting sickness with punishment from God. Jesus rejects this association and offers extravagant healing and welcome to everyone. We see the embodiment of the universal love and grace of God in these mass healing events. We see a huge door, wide open, welcoming all people to the commonwealth of God. Jesus is showing that all of the hurting people in the crowds have not displeased God. God is not angry at them. They are loved. God is seeking them, wanting them to have abundant life.

While we may no longer see sickness as a Divine punishment for sin, we do know that physical problems can result from unhealthy behaviors. We know that stress can create dis-ease which is manifest in physical illness. We know that how we live can contribute to physical, spiritual, and mental unwellness. We know that institutions, systems, and culture can adversely impact our health. And we see this in our context today in many ways. Air pollution is causing increased asthma. Stress contributing heart disease. Food contents negatively impacting bodily health. Lack of access to healthcare causing sickness and even death. There are lots of connections between human behavior and health. But that is science and public policy. That is not theology. That is not Divine punishment.

The Bible begins with the image of the Garden of Eden. Life is in balance. There is harmony. What is needed is provided. There is shalom – a state of peaceful well-being for all of Creation. And the Bible ends with an image of a garden where there is peaceful well-being for all. Everyone is cared for and fed in a system of balance and beauty.

The repeated stories of Jesus healing people is a way of showing Jesus inviting people to the garden, welcoming them to a reality of compassion and abundance. Creating communities of balance and mutual care and interdependence.

The image of Jesus as a healer is really the essence of Christianity. Our faith is about creating a reality in which people flourish and thrive – physically, emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. It is about creating a world of belonging and care. It is about abundant life and joy for EVERYONE. That is what we see in these many references to Jesus healing the crowds.

For this kind of mass healing to occur, yes, we know that individual choices are involved, but we also see that culture, institutions, power arrangements, economic systems, patterns of behavior and attitudes also are a big part of creating a healthy environment for everyone. For all to live in a context where they can thrive and flourish, all of these aspects of communal as well as individual life have an impact.

To be healthy, to live in a healthful context, also involves cultivating patterns of human relationships that involve self care, mutual understanding, forgiveness, and compassion. Mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health involve a comprehensive context promoting well-being in all of its dimensions.

During this pandemic, yes, an airborne virus has brought the world to its knees. And no magic wand can wave that away. But it has also exposed the many ways that our personal choices and societal arrangements are contributing to our dis-ease. We see the power dynamics, divisions, economic disparities, and prejudices that are influencing health outcomes. We are very much in need of healing on many fronts!

It’s interesting that after the lesson we heard from Matthew about healing the crowds, we are given the Sermon on the Mount. These are the teachings that tell us how to be whole and healthy and how to create a healthy community. Jesus offers a path of healing and wholeness that encompasses relationships, self care, power arrangements, wealth, and the Earth. Jesus shows us the importance of compassion, service, generosity, and mutual care. Jesus shows us a way of healing the pain we cause ourselves and others individually as well as in society. He offers healing balm for the multiplicity of ways that we make life less than it could be for ourselves and others. It is healing of all that diminishes our lives and the life of the Earth. The foundation is the sacredness of life and Creation.

While we are given many examples of Jesus healing the multitudes, we also see that Jesus did not restrict this healing power to himself. We are told in the gospel of Matthew that Jesus gave authority to the disciples to heal every disease and sickness. Jesus sends the disciples out to proclaim good news, cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. [Matthew 10:1, 8]

This work of healing involves us all. We are all needed to minister to the actual physical ailments of one another and to provide support and help as we can. But we are also needed to create communities in which EVERYONE is loved, accepted, valued, treated with dignity and respect, and supported so that all can flourish, thrive and live abundantly.

Jesus did not invite his followers to the ministry of healing as a punishment or a burden. We are invited to be part of the healing of the world because it is a blessing. When we offer the healing power of our faith to others and to the world, we find that we are healed and made whole. Amen.

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