I Do Choose

As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons. A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, “If you choose, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I do choose. Be made clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, saying to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter. Mark 1:29-45

There have been times in the past months when healing and restoration seemed impossible. It is human to be overwhelmed when our bodies are hurting. Some days are darker than others and strength and faith are truly tested. Everyone Jesus encountered in this first chapter of Mark was weary from their illness, suffering for months and years without relief. And to them all, Jesus told them his desire was to bring them healing, to restore their broken bodies and their sagging spirits. And to each of us, Jesus says, "I do choose!" God's love is healing, and restoration, and we are sought out, often in our darkest hours.

Loving Creator, source of all life

you renew us all day by day

you bring rain and snow in season

and you hear our cries when we suffer.

You brought new life in darkness

you declared your choice to heal

you stomped out fear and evil

and chose always to make us whole.

Help us to proclaim the healing

we know in our present lives

and let us share your love widely

and your healing to all we encounter. Amen.