Sharing the Love and Healing Power of Jesus – October 20

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 38; PM Psalm 119:25-48; Lam. 2:8-15; 1 Cor. 15:51-58; Matt. 12:1-14

My moment closest to God on Sunday was a tender moment during the “in-between”. Following the funeral I officiated in Trussville at a funeral home, I was walking to my car to leave my vestments, consecrated communion box, and prayer book, prior to visiting at the reception with family and friends. The sun was shining brightly as I walked down the stairs into the parking lot. I heard a voice yell out, “Pastor!” I turned, confused, as I am not usually heralded in this way.

I saw a woman hurrying out toward me. She was a familiar face, as I had spoken to her before the service when she indicated that she was looking for a church home. I suggested she try Saint Stephen’s, as it is a warm and welcoming place. She said that she lived in Shelby County; that was just too far for her to drive. We continued that conversation and then a few minutes later, I got vested to begin the service.

Fast-forward to the parking lot, bathed in glorious rays of sunlight, the woman approached me and said, “I heard the Word of God’s grace and healing preached today. I really needed to hear about God’s grace and redemption. I am coming to your church.”

In preparation for this funeral service, I could not have guessed that a Rite I Burial of the Dead service, chock full of thee, thou, and thy, would become a vessel of evangelism. My prayer was that God would bring comfort to a grieving family. As I ponder God’s wondrous ways of weaving us together in love, I realize that the healing we seek in rites of saying goodbye can be a doorway into experiencing God’s love and grace when we need it most.

In a newsletter from Forward Movement this morning, the executive director Scott Gunn wrote these words, “I wonder if we would think of evangelism differently if we thought of it as a way of sharing the “love and healing power” of Jesus Christ.” When I read Scott’s words, I felt a resounding “YES” bubble up within me. Yes!! That is at the heart of ministry – sharing the love and healing power of Jesus Christ. I see it as so many of you send letters, deliver flowers, drop off meals, and pray for those in need – sharing the healing power of Jesus and the love of God. It is transformational … for those who receive it and for those who are on the giving end.

I am reminded of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, exploring what Jesus’ death and resurrection will look like, and then what resurrection will be like for all of us on the last day. He says, “Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.” We will be changed from perishable to imperishable. Death will be swallowed up, and the sting of death will be no more. Those are words of hopeful promise to us. And when we grieve, those are meaningful words of mystery, as the sting of loss and pain of death are so fresh and raw.

God’s grace and love are transformational. God changes us. What if we change how we see annual giving at Saint Stephen’s? Perhaps we can dare to experience stewardship not as charts and numbers, but as a piece of evangelism…sharing the love and healing power of Jesus Christ. I believe that when we see giving as a way of getting swept into the healing grace of God, we enter into this mysterious realm of welcome, where we will drive a long way to church, or give generously of our time and talents during parish work days, or commit a portion of our earthly gifts to the mission of building up God’s church, grounded in the healing love of Jesus.

-- Katherine+

Questions for Reflection: For what are you hungering today? How can God bring you healing and peace? Who in your neighborhood is yearning for welcome or comfort? How will you intentionally pray for them?

Daily Challenge: Spend five minutes in prayer and reflection about sharing the healing love of Jesus with those around us. Then, invite someone to church at Saint Stephen's!