Go and Tell

Now when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and proclaim his message in their cities. When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.’ Matthew 11:1-6

We learn from a young age the importance of telling the truth, and quickly learn also to cover up our mistakes and deny misdeeds. When John inquired from prison about Jesus, the disciples are told to tell what they hear and see, not to make stuff up, but to recount what they have experienced. We humans are likely to elaborate and exaggerate when we tell our stories. Jesus invited the honest truth from his disciples and invites us to speak honestly from experience. We often ache to seem smarter, more faithful and more righteous than we truly are. Let us tell what we see and hear and trust that God is blessing all that can hear and receive.

Loving Creator, you make the lame to walk

give sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf

you even raise the dead and bring good news

to the poor and the marginalized among us.

We are often reluctant to share the good news

we hold tight to our blessings as if limited

we squander your love in our anger and lies

wanting to impress others rather than love them.

Help us to share the good news on every corner

let your truth be told in our simple stories

may healing and restoration be our prayer

and love and peace be the gifts we share. Amen.