Power
over Despair
Scripture Psalm 107 1-3 and 17-22 and Mark 5:35-43
Homily by Linda Jo Peters ~ March 18, 2012
With Baptism of McKayla and Ethan
Service of Healing
Unity Presbyterian Church ~ Terre Haute, Indiana
Scripture
Reading Psalm 107 1-3 & 17-22
read responsively
The
psalmist calls for all those who have been saved from trouble to give thanks
for God's steadfast love and unswerving faithfulness to the covenant and the
covenant people. Then in four stanzas
the writer focuses on experiences of loss.
Our lectionary reading for today is on those who God has saved from
illness.
1O
give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures
forever.
2Let the redeemed of the Lord say
so, those he redeemed from trouble3and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.
17Some were sick through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities endured affliction;
18they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death.
19Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress;
20he sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from destruction.
21Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.
22And let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices, and tell of his deeds with songs of joy.
Mark
5:35-43
We
continue the story of Jarius and his daughter which we began last week and was
interrupted by a woman in desperate need of healing. But the question here is
not “Am I worthy of healing?” but the more cynical “Why bother?” How often we hear that question when
catastrophic illness or disaster strikes. As if our efforts make no difference.
Yet, the world is reshaped daily by those who do “bother” themselves on behalf
of others. Truly, herein is the substance of this story. Why bother, why be concerned (troubled), why put yourself on the line? Why? Because Jesus bothered! It was and is never too late for him.[1]
While
he was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, “Your
daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?” But overhearing what
they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only
believe.” He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the
brother of James. When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue,
he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. When he had entered, he
said to them, “Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but
sleeping.” And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the
child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the
child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cum,” which means,
“Little girl, get up!” And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about
(she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. He
strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her
something to eat.
Homily
Despair
is rooted in loss, particularly loss that seems unredeemable, such as the death
of a child. This week we all grieved
over the murder of children in Kandahar, Afghanistan and we grieve over the
soldier who took their lives. The human
reaction to such evil is a desire for retribution and vengeance. We believe that if someone pays the ultimate price
for such destruction, we will know peace again.
But that is a lie. Nothing will
bring these little ones back to life. It
was retribution and vengeance that led us to Afghanistan. War almost always begins with a desire to
restore order. Yet the master mind of
9/11 is dead. Has it given us peace and
restored balance to our nation?
I
want Jesus to say to all the frightened children of our world, “Get up, little
ones and come have something to eat.” I
want him to say it to the children of Afghanistan, and the little ones of Haiti
and Henryville and Terre Haute. I
despair that we will ever change, because the source of power to overcome
despair is surrender to God and forgiveness of those who hurt us.
Why
would I talk about violence in a reflection on healing? Because until we can forgive our enemies, I
do not believe we can forgive ourselves.
Forgiving ourselves can be the greatest source of healing. Where in your life do you need to see
yourself as a precious child of God, fearfully and wonderfully made, of great
value and worthy? Forgiving and loving
your enemies is intrinsically bound with forgiving and loving yourself. They go together. So too until we surrender to God we cannot
surrender our illnesses of body, mind and spirit to God’s healing care. As long as we are in charge, we will continue
to get in God’s way. Today you have an
opportunity to open your heart to the power of forgiveness and to surrender
yourself to God’s healing touch. Jan and
I are going to create a worship center that we hope will impact your senses and
help you know how loved you are by God.
I have asked Kathy Hackleman one of our prayer chain members to sit in
the adult Bible Study room to be available for those who need someone to pray
with them. If the door is closed please
wait until she opens the door to go in with her.
Today
we can touch the waters of baptism that have embraced two of our beautiful
children. We can be anointed with oil or
kneel in prayer or withdraw into prayer with another child of God. We are blessed with amazing medical care that
many of our loved ones have been healed of their illnesses. Yet we are still a wounded people needing
God’s grace.
The candles are lit to draw all people to the source of life.
This stethoscope reminds us that even doctors need to listen to hear what is needed. Many times in our lives we need a little help from others.
This canereminds us of the love and care that hold us up when we are low. This mirror reminds us that we are all children of God and to see ourselves as precious to God.
This oilreminds of the anointing power of God Holy Spirit.
Our Offering is a reminder that through financial giving we sustain those struggling through a crisis.
These essential oils remind us of the many medicinal treatments that God has guided us to learn about and share.
We bring flowers of spring to remind us that in joy and sorrow we share our love for others through expressions of concern.
We give thanks for the gift of music that is a balm for the soul.
Here is Christ’s cross and we bring the bread and cup to remind us of the power of communion with God to bring healing.
Let
us begin this healing service with prayer:
UNISON
PRAYER
We
ask your presence among us, O God, Creator of the universe, Sustainer of life,
Redeemer of humankind; bring your healing light and power into our wounded
hearts and bodies and minds and souls, clear the way for each of us to discover
within ourselves the fullness of your power and all of your wondrous blessings;
help us dear God to respond to your vast love and to bless you, so that we may be a beacon through which you
may shine into the world and be
everlasting citizens of your Kingdom both in heaven and on earth. Amen.
READING JAMES
5:13-16
Are
any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing
songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the
church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the
Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up;
and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins
to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.
Invitation:
To
be anointed with oilTo partner in prayer
To kneel in silent prayer
