Seasonal Blessing for Pentecost / Ordinary Time
May the Spirit of truth lead us into all truth, giving us grace to confess that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and to proclaim the wonderful works of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Vicar's Voice - 17th Sunday after Pentecost - "Thanks be to God"
The earliest church called Jesus the 'one and only physician.' The early Christians believed that he alone could really heal. The Bible reports many healings of the sick. People brought their sick and laid them at Jesus' feet for him to heal them. There were also miracle healers elsewhere at that time. But when the evangelists told stories of healings they were less interested in the miracle than in the way in which Jesus dealt with sick people.
- from IMAGES OF JESUS by Anselm Grün
Last week in Franklin was the annual Applefest, arguably one of the region's most lively (and most crowded) community events. In addition to the many apple foods available (from apple butter to apple dumplings to apple pies to apple whiskey), local and regional artisans filled booths and tables with crocheted apples, apple watercolor paintings, apple Christmas tree ornaments, and apple refrigerator magnets.
Tucked away on the campus of St. John's Episcopal Church, next to the hot dog luncheon and auction items, the Grace Chapter of the Daughters of the King had their prayer tent. Although their items to share weren't all apple-themed (books, prayer cards, water), they also invited anyone who passed by to allow them to pray for them and their intentions. With this year's record number of visitors to the festival, it wasn't surprising that there was also a large number of people who came forward to have Daughters, along with members of the CORE Living Waters Chapter of Northwestern Pennsylvania of the Order of Saint Luke, listen to their petitions, lay on hands, and console them. They reminded them of God's love and the gift of Christ's healing, made possible through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus, as God made manifest in our human form, is our "Great Physician." Throughout the Gospels, he heals and enables the afflicted to be released, the blind to see, the suffering to be cured, and the paralyzed to regain their ability to walk. Anselm Grün, in his book IMAGES OF JESUS, reminds us that in each of these healings, Jesus first shows compassion, then offers a healing touch. Sometimes, Jesus offers admonition to alien spirits or mixes his spit with dirt. Yet the common element to healing is his emotional connection to the suffering and a physical connection to their bodies.
As I was watching those at the prayer tent, I was touched by the genuine compassion that they shared with everyone who passed by. Very few ignored the Daughters and OSL members; most at least smiled, if not engaging in some kind of polite dialogue about the weather or the number of folk attending Applefest. Some lingered and engaged in more vulnerable conversations, and through the empathy that built between them, they were able to step closer to those ministering. As they shared their stories, they were heard with a quiet attentiveness. If they allowed, the ministers placed their hands on their shoulders or on their heads, invoking God's love and healing. For those unable to open up as much, note paper was provided so that they could write down their intentions and have them prayed for. Our Daughters of the King share those prayers, and I am blessed to be able to join them in offering prayers for the many in our community who need them.
The need for prayer and healing in our community, our region, our nation, and our world is great. I hope that you will allow God to work through you so that you can acknowledge and attend to those in need around you and, in turn, make an intentional connection that affirms your care for their conditions and prayer for their healing.
I thank God for the Grace Chapter of the Daughters of the King, the Living Waters Chapter of the Order of Saint Luke, and for all who are gifted with compassionate hearts and healing touch.
Peace in Christ,
Father Shawn