Focus

Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God.

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Read

Matthew 14:34-36 (NRSV)

When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. After the people of that place recognized him, they sent word throughout the region and brought all who were sick to him, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

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Reflect

Franciscan priest and internationally known preacher and teacher Richard Rohr writes in his Daily Meditations that, “Jesus did two things over and over again: he preached and he healed.” Christians have done a lot of preaching over the past 2,000 years, but perhaps not too much healing. Lots of time has been spent on forming the correct beliefs, but has that really transformed people? Has it changed how we view one another on this side of heaven? When people of faith are not about healing, what do we have to offer others than the promise of a later reward for believing the right things?

Relating to our neighbor with love and compassion is the critical foundation of both spiritual and physical healing. We have made tremendous strides in medical science, but physical suffering still happens. We either cannot solve certain medical problems, or those who are suffering do not have sufficient access to medical care. I am perplexed by how humanity can spend so much imaginative energy and financial resources on ways to maim and destroy, but we cannot put such resources into physical healing. For many, physical healing is simply inaccessible.

Seeing after the well-being of others speaks volumes as to how we truly feel about them as God’s creation. It is my hope that our ongoing national discussion about health care will help us to be open to being transformed into an intentional community of love and compassion.

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Pray

Lord, we pray for spiritual and physical healing for ourselves and for our neighbor. Help us to seek you out in faith for healing. Amen.

Go with God.