For most of my life I’ve been speaking and writing about sacramental healing; that is, the wholeness of body, mind and spirit as God breaks in. Unfortunately some showmen have claimed special talents of healing, pointing to piles of disused braces and crutches affirming the success (?) of their methods. Others have posited the idea that healing is dependent on the person’s faith-level: if the cure doesn’t work immediately, their “faith” wasn’t enough. Above this folklore, Morton Kelsey writes “…the healer…is seen as the agency through which the Spirit of God and [God’s] power, the very creative force of the universe is transmitted….therefore sacramental.” (HEALING AND CHRISTIANITY, p,84-85) Thoughts brought to us in the scriptures of the weekend present the completion of some folks who had been separated from God.
JOB 42:1-6, 10-17 tells of Our Hero’s transformation and ultimate restoration: “I had heard of you (God)…but now my eyes see you.” Job finally allows God to BE God, and thus accepts himself (Job) as a valuable human. The long saga reaches a happy conclusion not moralizing about Job’s behavior or vices; and Job is himself again, healed and able to take his place in the community. The healing involves a deeper way of thinking about God and being aware of God’s presence. He finally acknowledges that God doesn’t necessarily follow human expectations! God’s inbreaking helps Job to recognize Grace in the Ashes.
The author of HEBREWS 7:23-28 contrasts the Old/Present order of high priests with the New priesthood of Jesus the Christ. Both offered sacrifices for the people–but the traditional priest had to do this over and again, while Jesus did it once as enough. Our humanity seems to need healing and forgiveness regularly, whereas those “in Christ” can claim an ongoing touch which frees us from the trap of the consequences of a single action. This re-orients our lives into progressive spirituality, putting to rest the boring and repetitive guilt of Yesterday! “[This] is Jesus’ amazing discovery that we do not need to be bound by past trespasses; through repentance and forgiveness we can be transformed; we can find release from past pain and learn how to forgive ourselves and others.” (Ginger Grab, FEASTING on the WORD, B 4:211)
The Gospel is the story of the restoration of sight to Bartimeus (MARK 10:46-52) also found in the account of Matthew and Luke. Bartimaeus called to the passing Jesus, who stopped and responded: “What do you want me to do for you?” Immediately the blind man answered, “My teacher, let me see again.” Although the prevailing culture assumed that this blindness was retribution for some awful sin, Jesus didn’t vet his history or admonish him to clean living–he just healed him. Gave Bartimaeus sight to participate in his surroundings, gave him insight to know God better.
I sometimes weary of my seemingly endless apology for Sacramental Healing: the humanity of today craves data and gigabytes, and disrespects the holy and the miraculous. Cynthia A. Jarvis tells us, “Miracles are those events that bring people from darkness into the light. Miracles turn our attention to what really matters in life and in death. Miracles claim no power, but reveals a Power who wills to be known. Miracles point beyond the one before us to the One who made us for love’s sake.” (FEASTING… B 4:214) In the name of Christ, be whole.
In he process of unfolding, Horace Brown King
Come join me on my pilgrimage every Tuesday at horacebrownking.com, as we are explored by scripture lessons assigned to this coming weekend.
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