Naturally, I am drawn to the stories of Jesus healing folks. Some of them came themselves, or called out to him, others were brought by friends, and one woman sneaked up quietly behind him and touched the hem of his coat. They each presented with different dis-eases: skin issues, blindness, walking issues, uncontrollable bleeding, deafness, even death. Most of them came in faith, believing that this man would be able to heal them so they could return to their communities, and be contributing members of society. Isn't that what we all want? A way to be in community, and to contribute to the world. Being sick in any way separates you from the community, and as wonderful as social media is, it is not the same as being among other people, or participating in events nearby. So in a way Jesus was not just healing the individual person, but was also healing their community by returning the person to full participation in it.
God of our days and nights, they say it takes a village to raise a child, well it also takes a village to help a person feel both needed and whole. Without our villages we sit in our spaces and draw into ourselves. Today we thank you for villages which support us, encourage us, need us, and to which we return when we are healthy and strong. We pray for your healing touch for all those who are in need, whether from injury, from illness, or even from gunshot wounds. So many have been ill with flu and pneumonia, so many have been injured by falling on ice, and again we are grieving with a community following a school shooting. Bring your healing touch to our minds, bodies, and spirits, that all our bodies and our villages may be made whole once more......Amen.