When the Church speaks about HEALING, we need to be sure that what is meant is WHOLENESS of body, mind & spirit. Often a specific condition or disease is overcome; but even where a “thorn in the flesh” remains, a healing sense of being whole in God’s love is instigated. Some will say that Death is an ultimate healing. My own understanding is that healing is sacramental: that is, it’s a loving in-breaking of Grace to an alien system. Readings for this weekend speak about Wholeness extended to all, whatever their situation in life. (If you’re interested in knowing more about Sacramental Healing, the Order of St. Luke the Physician has many good resources; or my favorite golden-oldie, Morton Kelsey’s HEALING AND CHRISTIANITY, Harper & Row, 1973.)
Selected snippets from Proverbs 2 (1-2, 8-9, 22-23) introduce a sense of God’s purpose for a whole society: “The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord is the maker of them all.” These aphorisms go beyond personal morality to the maintenance of a sensitive community. Susan T. Henry-Crowe reminds us of some current language which makes barriers: “immigrants”, “aliens”, “rednecks”, “white trash”, and “losers” are but a few labels which destroy equality. Where do these ancient moralisms help us to join together their theological claim with our current world? If we do not advocate for the “others”, do we betray the family of God?
James letter introduces us to the parable of the prejudiced usher (2:1-17). Two persons may enter a congregation, one ostensibly a Big Spender and the other noticeably ragged. The fancy dresser gets the best seat in the house, while the street-person is lucky to sit on a footstool! This is hardly a demonstration of Godly living, says James. “If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill’, and yet you do not supply their bodily needs what is the good of that?” It does require a special effort by each established member to welcome a newby and weave them into the fabric of the congregation…
The Gospel, Mark 7:24-37, tells two healing stories, both of which happened outside Jewish territory to Gentiles. Also, both involved third-parties making the connection to Jesus. Many of us have torn apart the story of Jesus’ seeming unwillingness to heal the daughter of the woman of Tyre, and the happy ending of their conversation. Since I’m deaf as a post myself, I resonate with the deaf man whose friends besought Jesus for healing. Again, Grace is poured out on the outsiders irrespective of their beliefs or worthiness.
I’m always amazed at what I learn from the insight of everyday people. IF I can tear myself away from my book-lined study to hob-nob with folks at the Village Diner or the waiting room of the walk-in clinic, I receive witness and blessing of life which is unfolding by Gods’ Grace all around! Perhaps this sort of divine encounter will bring ME wholeness, as well?
God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King
My thoughts about Scripture readings assigned to the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at this space on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com
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