Gospel of Mark, ch. 1. As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
Standing at the edge of the lake, a man saw a woman flailing about in the deep water. Unable to swim, the man screamed for help. A trout fisherman ran up. The man said, "My wife is drowning and I can't swim. Please save her. I'll give you a hundred dollars." The fisherman dove into the water. In ten powerful strokes he reached the woman, put his arm around her, and swam back to shore. Depositing her at the feet of the man, the fisherman said, "Okay, where's my hundred dollars?" The man said, "Look, when I saw her going down for the third time, I thought it was my wife. But this is my Mother- in-law." The fisherman reached into his pocket and said, "Just my luck. How much do I owe you?"
That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, ‘Everyone is searching for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go on to the neighbouring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.’ And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.
Standing at the edge of the lake, a man saw a woman flailing about in the deep water. Unable to swim, the man screamed for help. A trout fisherman ran up. The man said, "My wife is drowning and I can't swim. Please save her. I'll give you a hundred dollars." The fisherman dove into the water. In ten powerful strokes he reached the woman, put his arm around her, and swam back to shore. Depositing her at the feet of the man, the fisherman said, "Okay, where's my hundred dollars?" The man said, "Look, when I saw her going down for the third time, I thought it was my wife. But this is my Mother- in-law." The fisherman reached into his pocket and said, "Just my luck. How much do I owe you?"
On the other hand, my mother-in-law is the second most important woman in my life. (A close second to my wife and my own mom). When she is sick, the entire week is thrown out of whack in my house. She spends every Thursday with our boys while Cherie and I work. Whenever I am away, she stays overnight to help. I’m on my way to the ELCA World Hunger leaders gathering this Thursday morning. She will be with the boys on Thursday and Friday while Cherie is teaching music.
I imagine Simon Peter’s mother-in-law was like this. A servant. Not a slave. A lot of people get bent out of shape because the story says that Jesus raises her up from a fever and she began to serve them; as if we are watching a Super Bowl commercial in which the boys slip the ailing mother-in-law some vicks Dayquil so that she recovers enough to fetch their beers and keep the snacks coming. I guess women could read this story and suggest that these helpless men simply wanted a woman to serve them. But to be fair, I suggest that Jesus heals her so she could take her place in the community. She is raised up to serve---essentially the way of discipleship. When Jesus heals, it restores people to their vocations, their rightful callings in life. Just as illness and disease can prevent us from doing the things we are called to do, so too renewed health can permit us to return to the things we are called to do. If my mother-in-law were sick, I would not be able to go to the ELCA World Hunger leaders gathering, where I will be studying the work of domestic hunger partners around the country to find ways to organize the efforts to reduce hunger and food insecurity in Lancaster County. My calling as a leader in the ministry of food and hunger justice here compels me to go to such a gathering. Without my mother-in-law it would be impossible for me to go.
So, I wonder how the raising up of Simon’s mother-in-law affected his ministry and discipleship. Following Jesus will take him away from his home and family. With renewed health in his home, he is given the freedom to follow. You see how the restored health of one person may impact many others. So maximizing health is an important part of vocation and discipleship. Caring for the health of others has to be a part of congregational ministry, as a way in which we help people live their purpose. From a global perspective, we can partner with ELCA World Hunger to reduce the threat of Malaria. Nearly 800,000 people die each year from malaria -- most are children under five. It doesn’t have to be this way. The disease is completely preventable and treatable. Working as a church, through churches in Africa, we already have the structure in place to reach individuals and communities that other organizations cannot. Through the ELCA Malaria campaign, a $10.00 donation will purchase a life saving mosquito net. For $250.00 we could purchase nets for a village, potentially saving the lives of many children. Imagine the ripple effects that such acts of healing and grace will cause. If you wish to donate, go to
Closer to home, are you aware of your own health needs? Jesus spent time in self-reflection and prayer, a way to stay connected to the source of his life and vocation. Jesus shows us that a healthy life rhythm requires that we set apart time to be alone with God. The arhythmic nature of our lives, in which we go at a breakneck pace until we crash is not holy or healthy. We tend to load all of our quiet time onto vacations. Our bodies are organically rhythmic. An arhythmic heart can be life-threatening. At the least, it is treated medically or with the insertion of a pacemaker device to restore a healthy rhythm. Jesus shows us that his active ministry required time for reflection and spiritual nurture. Self-care is essential to Christian ministry and service. You’re no good to anyone if you're exhausted or spiritually dead. I pray on Monday mornings with colleagues. This has become an important part of my spiritual rhythm, in which I prepare for the week by praying for you.
Sunday morning worship in many ways defines the rhythm of the Christian life; we gather weekly around God's Word and the Lord's Supper. We recall the mighty acts of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ in the rhythm of the church's year, marking times and seasons by His birth, ministry, death, and resurrection. Weekly worship is meant to interrupt our busy lives and reset our spiritual rhythm by orienting us to God and God's time. Many of us blame a hectic life for disrupting the church's worship,the church's calendar. But actually, Sabbath (weekly worship) is the disruption. God comes to us and awakens us to another reality beyond our own time. The announcement we share is an interruption to the previously scheduled program we have going on in our lives. God's reign disrupts our private lives and draws us into something greater. The divine, eternal life of the Spirit.
Lent is coming. I propose that we embrace Lent as a time to pursue greater spiritual health. Just as our bodies needs exercise and a proper diet (something else we could work on in Lent) so do our spirits. Spiritual care may include a new spiritual habit; five minutes of silence everyday or stopping to pray three-times a day or taking a daily walk that refreshes both body and spirit. Let the Spirit of Jesus show us the way to greater health this Lent, so we can continue the work of ministry to which we are called. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment