Today’s author is Prince of Peace member, Rev. Steve Sveom.
Luke tells the story of a centurion who demonstrates faith and Jesus who heals and restores the dead son of a grieving mother. The power of illness and death is powerful. The compassion of Jesus is even more powerful.
Last week I travelled to New York to visit a friend who has ALS and is losing one part of his life after another. He sleeps in a hospital bed at night and is lifted by a hoist to a recliner, where he spends the day. He gets liquid nutrients poured into an abdominal tube. Attached to a bi-pap machine to enable his breathing, he wears a full mask at night and a nasal mask during the day, allowing him to talk.
I asked my friend and his spouse where they see God in the midst of the horror. He claimed that he sees God in his faithful and loving wife. Both claimed that they see God in sisters who visit every week and a friend from church who visits and brings balloons. They see God in a zoom bible study and an ALS support group. They see God in home aides who provide care. They claimed to see God in a friend who drove 2400 miles round trip to visit them. And, they see God in a friend from church who comes every night to help with the transfer from the recliner to the hospital bed and who reads a devotion with them. They see God in the people and the compassion that is present. I saw God in those who supported them, in the call I received after I got home to make sure I made it okay, and especially in their tenacious faith and love.
Jesus brought compassion, healing and life to those in need. The people of God continue to provide compassion, healing and life in a world of need.
God of compassion, move us to compassion in our world and give hope to those in need. Amen.