Carrying the Light - August 12, 2024
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 89:1-18; Judges 12:1-7; Acts 5:12-26; John 3:1-21
The lectionary the Episcopal Church uses recognizes today the life and work of Florence Nightingale. Ms. Nightingale, known for her role as a nurse, was raised in the Unitarian Church however later joined the Church of England. Not typically known for her role in the church, her faith is considered controversial in some ways because of her disbelief in portions of the Creed. However, overshadowing that was her lifelong total devotion to God.
At an early age she decided to devote her life to healing through nursing as her way to serve God. She introduced many innovations that have saved countless numbers of lives and changed the practice of health care forever. When the war in Crimea broke out, she was given permission to lead a group of 38 nurses into the battle fields to care for the wounded soldiers. When she returned to England at the end of the war she was recognized as a national hero. Her ally through all of this was the Secretary of War, Sir Sydney Herbert. When he became ill and died, she prayed that God raise him from the dead because she still needed his help to do her work. When her prayers weren’t answered she expressed doubts about God however she wrote in her diary that God eventually spoke to her and said, “‘You are here to carry out my program. I am not here to carry out yours.’ She wrote in her diary, ‘I must remember that God is not my private secretary.’” (The Satucket Lectionary.)
The collect for today reads in part, “Grant to all who heal the same virtues of patience, mercy, and steadfast love, that your saving health may be revealed to all . . .” In the Acts of the Apostles, we are told, “Yet more than ever believers were added to the Lord, great numbers of both men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and mats, in order that Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he came by. A great number of people would also gather from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all cured.” The people were filled with wonder concerning this divine healing power the apostles held. Being filled with jealousy and perhaps fear, the high priests of the temple had the apostles arrested. However, they were released by an angel from God so they could return to the temple where they continued to teach the people who had gathered.
Ms. Nightingale’s tenacity and strength, came in part from a sense of compassion for the suffering she witnessed, but it also came from the same sense of vocation and desire to do God’s work that the apostles demonstrated. Even though she became discouraged and angry with God she remained loyal, her faith growing throughout her life.
No amount of hardship extinguished her hope and determination; if anything, she became more determined. She was known by many as the “Lady with the Lamp,” because she carried a lamp throughout the dark hospital wards at night, checking on her patients. The “light” she carried was a light that was fueled by her faith. As a result, like the apostles, she created a legacy of inspired followers who have kept the light she carried alive.
Faithfully,
Sally+
Questions for Reflection: Who do you know who carries the light of Christ? Who or what inspires you to keep going when you feel like giving up? How do your life’s choices inspire others to keep the faith and persevere?