Have Mercy on Us!

As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, crying loudly, ‘Have mercy on us, Son of David!’ When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, ‘Do you believe that I am able to do this?’ They said to him, ‘Yes, Lord.’ Then he touched their eyes and said, ‘According to your faith let it be done to you.’ And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus sternly ordered them, ‘See that no one knows of this.’ But they went away and spread the news about him throughout that district. After they had gone away, a demoniac who was mute was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the one who had been mute spoke; and the crowds were amazed and said, ‘Never has anything like this been seen in Israel.’ But the Pharisees said, ‘By the ruler of the demons he casts out the demons.’ Matthew 9:27-34

In this age of tyrants and egos, it is easy to become jaded and withdraw. We can give in to our hurts and withdraw from the world, never asking for the help we need, since no one seems to listen or care. Jesus encounters two blind men and a mute demoniac, who everyone had given up on. These folks might have given into their hurts and withdrawn from the world, as the world had sidelined them. Yet Jesus comes to the place where the hurting, withdrawn ones dwell and brings them healing. And Jesus comes to our hiding places, our shelters from the world's hurts, and touches our hearts to heal and renew us, freeing us from the anger and hurts that have bound us for so long. May we cry out today, "have mercy on us", trusting that our freedom and healing is at hand.

Merciful Creator, source of life and healing

you make us in your image and name us

you welcome us and call us to yourself

reminding us that there is more healing to come.

We huddle in our anger, hurts and shame

refusing to hear your welcoming call to us

believing that nothing and no one can get better

losing our love, our hope and our faith.

Mend our hearts and our broken circles

so we might see you in all our dark places

trusting that your love will find us wherever

and hope, faith and love will be restored again. Amen.