Daily office Reading for Friday of Proper 11: Year 1
Morning, Psalms 40 and 54; Evening, Psalm 51;
1st Samuel 31:1 to 13; Acts 15:12 to 21; Mark 5:21 to 43:
“Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, ‘If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well:” (Mark 5:25 to 28).
In this Gospel account our Lord Jesus is on his way to attend to the daughter of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. While in route a woman of strong faith who has been suffering for a long time applied her faith to the healing goodness of Jesus and was healed even without him being aware. We can do the same. The healing goodness of Jesus is available to all of us still today. I have learned to call this incidental healing an unexpected opportunity. Most of us are busy. But let’s not be too busy to stop and help someone if we can.
After healing the woman, Jesus makes his way to the home of Jairus where doubters are poisoning the minds of others with their unbelief. “But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, ‘Do not fear, only believe:” (Mark 5: 36). Belief was what worked for the woman who was hemorrhaging. For extra faith-power Jesus took with him his own trusted believers. “He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James:” (Mark 5: 37). I call these three his executive counsel. These are the same three he takes with him on the Mount of Transfiguration and to other special occasions. With this added faith, he cures the little girl. Faith is the most powerful healing tool we have access to. We just need to use it more. Jesus even heals on the Sabbath. And while this occasion was not on the Sabbath, he is known to do so.
Today we remember St James the Apostle (July 24, 41) and his information may be found at: St. James the Apostle.
“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done” (Genesis 2:1 and 2). So, for this evening and tomorrow day my friends, Shabbat Shalom.
What is Shabbat? Intro to the Jewish Sabbath – YouTube
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
Let us pray:
O Lord God, Creator and Lover of all souls, keep us ever mindful and attentive to those whom You place in our path in order that we might use our God-given gifts for their benefit. Also keep us ever mindful that You have equipped us with what we need for the care of our neighbor even when we are unawares in order that You might work through us to do Your deeds of power in our time. Amen.
onewhoponders 