Readings:
Sermon:
This week’s gospel reading tells the story of Jesus teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath day when a woman crippled and unable to move freely joins the crowd of worshippers. Jesus instantly notices her and her physical predicament and, full of compassion, calls her forward, lays his hands on her and heals her.
As I read this morning’s gospel reading I am trying to put myself in the position of the leader of the synagogue and wondering how I would feel if I had been in his position? There is no doubt that the ministry of Jesus is attracting great crowds and much attention, as well as jealousy and opposition from the more conservative Jewish leaders and worshippers. However, I wonder how I might feel if I was leading Sunday worship and a curate, reader or lay leader suddenly interrupted the flow of the service and became the sole focus of attention through his or her spontaneous and compassionate outreach to somebody in need? Might I not feel just a little bit like the leader of the synagogue? All very well I might think, but why not wait just a little bit longer until a more appropriate time?
Obviously the religious leaders were concerned about good order and following the rules and were rattled by the spontaneous way the love of God flowed through the ministry of Jesus. This raises the issue of how we respond to those who appear to be so much more gifted and popular than us? As we read the gospels we sense the growing ambivalence in the minds of the traditionally religious to Jesus’s free flowing openness to God’s love and compassion for others and we need to be really honest. Can we own some of their resentment and fearful opposition in the way that we sometimes react to those who appear to be able to respond more spontaneously and lovingly, because of their apparent depth of faith, giftedness and popularity?
There have been many occasions when a situation has arisen requiring a quick response and I have wanted to reach out in a free and loving way, but suddenly I freeze or clam up. I know what I want to do, but I am frightened or unsure whether it is the right thing. Sadly I have memories of occasions where my input may have made a difference, but I have lacked faith in myself and in the God who speaks from deep within my heart and mind.
So often our resentment and jealousy of those who reach out spontaneously to heal and restore others through their love, care and faith in Jesus stems from our own inability to love and believe in ourselves. We miss the point that God loves us with a love that is infinite and, in this love, we know ourselves to be loved. So we may have confidence to reach out to others with this healing love whenever and wherever the situation arises and to know that God will never let us down.
We may sometimes feel a little jealous of others, but we all have gifts to share as we reach out in God’s name. Perhaps your gift is just being willing to be there or perhaps you have the inner stillness just to be able to listen. Whatever your gift, you may reach out to others in the secure knowledge of God’s everlasting love deep within you.
Question:
- What are your gifts and are there new ways you might use them in the service of God to bring peace and healing to others?