As I write this, I am studying for Sunday's sermon, the last Sunday in June. Going over the stories of Jairus and the healing of his daughter and of the woman who had bled for twelve years has left me challenged and wondering.
What particularly popped out to me was the woman’s nerve and audacity. She knew she was unclean because of her bleeding. She knew whoever she touched would become unclean. Yet she was so desperate that she took a seemingly inconceivable course of action. In her faith, she knew that if she touched Jesus, she would be healed. She was “immediately” rewarded. Jesus spoke kindly to her, confirming her healing and offering her peace. This would completely restore her to her family and community. She
was made new!
And so, what about us? When budget time comes around for the church, we wonder how we can cut it and how we can faithfully make ends meet. Yet, while in finance meetings here, I see some audacity in that woman. It’s a holy audacity that could present a faithful budget.
What about the churches all around us, shrinking in the number of members and worshipers they have? I don’t have all the answers, but Jesus does. Jesus calls us to be audacious in reaching out to him, to let his power flow through us, to us, to make us whole. Jesus wants us to grow spiritually, not just numerically.
According to thesaurus.com, here are some synonyms for audacious: adventurous, bold, courageous, risky. I especially like the word “risky.” Just look at last week’s gospel lesson, Mark 5:21–43. Do you see this type of behavior being exercised by the principal players?
In a daily devotional I use, I have come across these challenging words, which apply to all of us. “There are very few people who realize what God would make of them if they abandoned themselves into his hands, and let themselves be formed by his grace” (St.Ignatius). Let us ask for the grace to entrust ourselves totally to God’s love (sacredspace.com)
Pastor's Message
July 2024
Pastor Ivy Gauvin