I Do Choose

Once, when Jesus was in one of the cities, there was a man covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.” Then Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do choose. Be made clean.” Immediately the leprosy left him. And he ordered him to tell no one. “Go,” he said, “and show yourself to the priest, and, as Moses commanded, make an offering for your cleansing, for a testimony to them.” But now more than ever the word about Jesus spread abroad; many crowds would gather to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray. One day, while he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting near by (they had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem); and the power of the Lord was with him to heal. Just then some men came, carrying a paralyzed man on a bed. They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus; but finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the middle of the crowd in front of Jesus. When he saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, “Who is this who is speaking blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the one who was paralyzed—“I say to you, stand up and take your bed and go to your home.” Immediately he stood up before them, took what he had been lying on, and went to his home, glorifying God. Amazement seized all of them, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen strange things today.” Luke 5:12-26

Our lives have been filled with doctors and medical appointments lately. I am so grateful for the wonderful care and skill we are blessed to have here, which is nothing short of extraordinary. There are Christians who tell others that of they were faithful enough, God would heal them and they wouldn't need doctors. Some even told others that faith would keep Covid away. That behavior breaks my heart. We have encountered doctors and nurses who say "I do choose" every day. They choose to offer their gifts and skills for the healing of others. God blesses all who offer their gifts. May we see God working through science and medicine, since our Creator is constantly and consistently for us, loving us and making us whole.

Loving Creator, you brought forth this world

with balance and harmony in everything

yet we often fall and cannot get ourselves up

so you respond to us and say "I do choose!"

We are frightened and often in extreme pain

we turn from your love in our anger and hurt

we fail to see your loving hands in our midst

and fail to seek you in our darkest days.

Help us to find you in every challenge

help us to hear your loving affirmation

let us be those who trust in your care

and daily walk with love and gratitude. Amen.