At the Center is Healing

Today's readings: Ps 89:1-18; Jud 12:1-71; Acts 5:12-26; John 3:1-21

Jesus often told the people he healed, “tell no one.” Of course they always did. If instead he had granted them riches, would they have been as likely to spread the word? Human nature does not tend toward sharing the wealth. But newfound healing and wholeness? You can’t hide them if you try. Bodies, minds, spirits, relationships with other people, relationships with  God – Christ’s healing presence was felt everywhere. Yet healing was not merely a public relations stunt to reach the widest market. Healing was at the center of his ministry.

Christians are meant to offer the world a continued spirit of healing. The Book of Acts tells us the apostles won many new believers through a ministry of miraculous healing. Presumably the Holy Spirit could have empowered them to perform any manner of miraculous signs to get the people’s attention, but the apostles stayed true to the mission.

As Christians we are still called to heal the world. Our efforts may not seem miraculous in an obvious, walk-on-water sort of way, but God can use us to accomplish truly miraculous things. As a member of an open and affirming congregation, I have been privileged to witness people who had been abused and rejected by other churches rediscover the love of God. They will tell you it is a miracle of the Spirit moving through a loving Christian community. As an employee of a Catholic health system, I am privileged to contribute in my own small way to a ministry that heals people daily, people who otherwise might be without help. This effort reveals the Spirit moving through another type of Christian community.

Let’s each ask ourselves: “Am I a healing presence in the world?” If we are following Christ, we should be. If our Christian experience is limited to following the rules, are we healing anyone? Christ didn’t heal people by enforcing the law – he loved them. We need to actively engage with the world, especially with the people who are the most broken, and often the most difficult. As Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick” (Matt 9:12, Mark 2:17 Luke 5:31). We are privileged to heal!

Comfort: God is always ready with the remedy we need.

Challenge: Meditate on how you can be a healing presence in the world.

Prayer: God of healing, thank you for the privilege of serving.

Evening readings: Ps 89:19-52