Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 23: Year 2
Morning, Psalms 5 and 6; Evening, Psalms 10 and 11;
Jonah 1:1to17; Acts 26:24to27:8; Luke 8:40to56
“But Jesus said, ‘Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me.” (Luke 8:46)
In my Thursday morning Cursillo Reunion Group the gathered group is well aware that I, John, am not a fan of “unexpected opportunities.” During our sessions the question always comes up, “With what unexpected opportunities has the Lord accomplished through you…” I am a strong “J” on the Myers Briggs personality tests. While this “J” stands for judgment it more readily relates to the “need-to-know” outcomes. I am so “off the chart” in this category that I will wait until someone has seen a movie that I want to see and then ask them to tell me about it in detail. If pushed, I would probably pay for them to see the movie so that they can tell me about it. I know this is bad but I really don’t like surprises. And I don’t think “opportunity” and “unexpected” should be used in the same sentence,, especially with “unexpected” used as an adjective for “opportunity.”
Having said all this, I now learn from our Lord Jesus as he was in route to do a good work when an unexpected opportunity occurs. While on his way to attend to a dying twelve year old girl, a woman, bleeding for 12 years, guided by her faith, touches the garment of Jesus. She is instantly healed. Jesus realizes that someone’s faith has made use of his healing power. He has unknowingly participated in an unexpected opportunity.
I have heard that the reward for hard work is more hard work. Perhaps the same is true of good opportunities. That is, the rewards for good opportunities are more good, and even, unexpected, opportunities. This healing is further evidence that Jesus takes the faith in us already, and uses it to heal us. After the woman was healed, He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” (Luke 8: 48)
Today we remember Teresa of Avila; Reformer and Contemplative (15 October 1582). And her information can be found at: Teresa of Avila (satucket.com)
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools. And, as we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
Let us pray:
Most Holy Lord Jesus, Savior of the world, I pray you make me and others more aware and appreciative of all good, but unexpected opportunities, that we may do many good deeds in your most Holy Name; Amen.
onewhoponders 