25th April 25

Friday - I think? This week has been a bit of a blur really, we are now approaching our first weekend after Easter and so why not come and join us on Sunday and see what that's all about?

 

Service Sunday 10.30am - everyone is welcome.

 

Today's reading is Luke 8:41-end

 

And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus’ feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:

For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.

And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,

Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.

And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.

And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.

And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.

But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.

And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden.

And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.

And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.

And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.

And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.

And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.

 

Reflection.....

 

The Greek word for 'faith' is pisteuson, and, in some circles, it is though that this word can be translated as 'trust', the two women healed by Jesus trusted him. 

The response to his healing is not a clinical cure, but it is a personal and somewhat tender relationship as well. To the woman healed of haemorrhages he says "Daughter, your trust has made you well" and to Jairus' daughter he says "Child, get up", daughter and child being words used in a more familial setting maybe than when someone is being healed. 

The deepest desire of Jesus is to love and be loved, and to be able to do that we must trust him. Can we love him as much as he loves us? In his prayer in John 17:20-26, he faces death and looks beyond it all to us - his future disciples, "who will trust in me?", his ultimate desire is for us to be united in trust and love with him, the Father and each other. That was why he was sent, and sent in love.

What fears stop us trusting in him wholeheartedly? Why do we struggle being sent into the world to love as he did?

 

Prayers...

 

As the Pope still lies in state, ahead of his funeral and internment tomorrow, we still pray for him, praying for his soul and giving thanks for the man that he was...humble, not judgemental, faithful, and loving.

 

O God, faithful rewarder of souls,

grant that your departed servant Pope Francis,

whom you made successor of Peter

and shepherd of your Church,

may happily enjoy for ever in your presence in heaven

the mysteries of your grace and compassion,

which he faithfully ministered on earth.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever. 

Amen

 

 

Rev Rie