Chapter 5 of Luke’s gospel mixes
moments of calling disciples and healing ~ which I find beautiful invitation to
how we live and practice service amid our humanness. Henri Nouwen coined the phrase “wounded healer”. Nouwen described how we all have the scars of
the world and through our brokenness (woundedness/hurt) we might find ways to
bless others. One quick reminder, that
to be called as a disciple (or student or apprentice or follower) of a rabbi in
Jesus’ day was a high honor. Some scholars
suggest it is like Harvard or Morehouse College sending me a letter saying,
“Congratulations, come study here” out of the blue ~ without applying. The disciples were minding their own
business, going about their ordinary Wednesday activity, when this itinerant
rabbi wanders past and invites them to follow.
Nouwen would say that we have moments each day when Jesus wanders/shows
up in our life calling us. In our hyper
productive, addicted to our screens, busy life, we can miss these moments. I say that not to guilt you or me but I need
reminders to stay awake and alert to practice the presence of God (see the
sermon from September 1). How might
Jesus be calling you over the tumult of these days? As I read chapter 5, I hear the hymn, “The
Summons”. Here is my favorite verse from
that hymn ~ as a prayer for you, “Will you love the ‘you’ you hide if I but
call your name? Will you quell the fear
inside and never be the same? Will you
use the faith you’ve found to reshape the world around. Through sight and touch
and sound in you and you in Me?” Read
and re-read these words as Jesus continues to call us to be partners,
collaborators, in service to the world God so loves. Amen.
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