Fifth Sunday After The Epiphany
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VI, Cycle B
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Isaiah 40:21-31 (C)
This lesson includes what is probably the best known of all Old Testament passages: ñThose who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.'' The entire lesson, using marvelous imagery, declares the supremacy of God over all creation, acknowledges the difficulty of the human situation which ordains that even the young and strong ñwill faint and be weary,'' then offers its splendid promise.
These words were written during the imprisonment of many leading Jews in Babylon. It was a time of discouragement and hopelessness. Of course some Jews who had been required to move to Babylon had become integrated into their new community. But others had refused to allow this. These people had resisted. Instead, they yearned for a return to their homeland, to the days of their youth. Now the writer of Isaiah (probably not his name) assures those who yearn for home that their hopes will not be disappointed.
People of true faith must have known the birth of renewed hope at the hearing of IsaiahÍs assurance. It would seem these people had a more immediate sense of GodÍs presence or, as in their current situation, GodÍs absence, than do most people today. God seemed to have deserted them. Or, if not that, to have ordained unbearable heartbreak and loneliness for them. But Isaiah says No. God will be faithful, will see them through. This is a powerful word for us to relay to our people today.
Lesson 1: Job 7:1-4, 6-7 (RC)
ñI am allotted months of emptiness, and nights of misery are apportioned to me.'' There it is, not only the bitter discouragement of one man, but the age-old cry of all of us at one time or another in our lives. The death of a loved one, a stubborn illness, repeated vocational failure, betrayal by someone we love. But of course we know that Job would eventually find his faith again because he would discover, just as Isaiah assured us, that God is faithful and will enable us to transcend such misery.
Lesson 1: 2 Kings 4:(8-17) 18-21 (22-31) 32-37 (E)
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 (C, E); 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23 (RC)
We could certainly use this passage if asked to address a gathering of fellow preachers. But as it applies to our congregation, we see that Paul first makes clear that he is not preaching because it seemed like a worthy vocation, which he therefore chose, but because he really has no choice. God has called him to it. Therefore, almost in the spirit of the prophet who believes he speaks for God, Paul assures the people of Corinth that he will live along with them in such way as to display the gospel. When with Jews, he chooses to live as one even though while an ethnic Jew he is no longer a religious Jew. But his love for his people transcends religious laws. If he must obey the laws which he no longer accepts in his heart, in order to win them, he will. But when with Gentiles, he is no longer a Jew among Gentiles, he is a ñGentile'' in his heart, in order to be one with them in Christ. To generalize on this for our purposes, he is urging that a Christian be willing to ñdo as the Romans do'' when with potential converts, not, however, compromising oneÍs values.
Gospel: Mark 1:29-39 (C, RC, E)
Jesus heals several people, according to this passage. Given the strenuous nature of this work „ ask any physician or counselor „ it is significant that Jesus was up before dawn so that he could be by himself to pray. We wonÍt deal with the issue of demons here since we considered that at some length last week. There are two other possible emphases here for sermon preparation. One is that of healing. In this regard, the passage raises some questions. Does the fact that Jesus healed SimonÍs mother-in-law mean we can be healed likewise? Or was the physical presence of Jesus necessary? How much did the emotional element play a part in the healing, not only of SimonÍs mother-in-law, but of all the healings? Most of the those people came simply wanting to get well. ItÍs unlikely that they had faith in the sense that Jesus would commend faith in God to us. Their faith was about the same as the faith you and I have when we go see our doctor.
What this passage really does is raise the primary question: did Jesus heal people by the performance of miracles, or did their simple expectation that he could heal them open them up to healing forces available to us today? We now know that our emotions play a major role in physical health. Scientists speak of the ñcancer personality.'' That is people who hold their emotions in, donÍt have many friends, are uptight about life. Franz Alexander, M.D., wrote: ñThe fact that the mind rules the body is, in spite of its neglect by biology and medicine, the most fundamental fact which we know about life.''
In his widely read Love, Medicine, and Miracles, Dr. Bernie S. Siegel, M.D., wrote: ñThe immune system, then, is controlled by the brain, either indirectly through hormones in the bloodstream, or directly through the nerves and neurochemicals. One of the most widely accepted explanations of cancer, the ïsurveillance theory,Í states that cancer cells are developing in our bodies all the time but are normally destroyed by white blood cells before they can develop into dangerous tumors. Cancer appears when the immune system becomes suppressed and can no longer deal with this routine threat. It follows that whatever upsets the brainÍs control of the immune system will foster malignancy.''
Siegel is making the point that our emotional state, our attitude, our faith if you will, plays a profound part in illness or its avoidance. Dr. Herbert Benson of Harvard Medical School has shown that cholesterol levels can be controlled by a combination of meditation and exercise. A recent experiment down in Clearwater, Florida, in which AIDS patients were divided into two groups, one being prayed for systematically, one not, showed a remarkable difference in survival rate, those being prayed for having survived far longer than those who were not.
The evidence is growing as medical science begins to open its mind to the interrelationship of physical and emotional factors that healing is not only a physical dynamic. Our outlook on life and the way we implement that outlook in our lifestyle and in our religion determine our fate. Siegel concludes that love is the most healing force of all. He concludes his book with this: ñWe have an infinite number of choices ahead, but a finite number of endings. They are destruction and death, or love and healing. If we choose the path of love we save ourselves and our universe.'' Then this: ñLet us choose love and life.''
Is that the explanation then? Did Jesus, as the personification of perfect love, embody healing so profoundly that his mere touch could cast out whatever destructive forces were otherwise working within? I suggested that I see two possible preaching possibilities. The other is the importance of prayer, as even Jesus could only go on through prayer. But maybe the two themes are inseparable. Maybe by prayer, we are enabled to love in a way which heals.
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Title: ñThe Faithfulness Of God''
Text: Isaiah 40:29-31
Theme: Many of us are more or less comfortable in our life situations. But many are not. This word is for them. I always liked what one minister related, about a conversation with a parishioner who admitted that he felt uncomfortable in any social situation when a minister was present. ñYou see, Reverend,'' said the well-intentioned gentleman, ñyou ministers live in such a protected environment. YouÍre the personification of goodness, so the rest of us who have to live in the real world are careful what we say.''
The minister said he only smiled as he reflected on his past week. The woman who came to confess an affair, now fearing for her marriage. The young man who was contemplating suicide. The middle-aged banker facing financial ruin. The boy in reform school. The alcoholic teenager. All pouring out their anguish to their pastor. And of course, the hours in the hospital waiting room with the anxious family, followed by the agonizing hour at the mortuary. No, he didnÍt try to explain it to his parishioner, but he said he wondered just how many people in his church knew the ñreal world'' half so well as he did. Yes, our people may not realize just how much we preachers really do know about that wonderful but often painful world in which we live. But we know. We know how hungrily some of them will receive this word from Isaiah.
1. God is faithful. This is the dominant theme of the Bible. Read the Psalms. Read Job. Read Isaiah. Read the words of Jesus. God is faithful.
2. We all must face lifeÍs troubles. ñMan is born to trouble,'' wrote the author of Job.
3. God empowers us. DonÍt we sing it? ñGrant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of this hour....'' Paul wrote: ñI can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.'' Jesus, using a hyperbole of breathtaking implication, told us we could move mountains by our faith.
4. Whatever it is, you can triumph.
Title: ñLiving Like We Mean It''
Text: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Theme: I remember something a fellow pastor told me a few years ago. He was attending a rather formal open house. While talking with a parishioner, they were shocked to hear an outburst of obscene language from a man standing nearby. The man was berating an ethnic minority group in no uncertain terms. Suddenly, their eyes met „ the angry man and the pastor. The man was the Lay Leader of the pastorÍs church. My friend told me that man never came back to church.
ThereÍs room for mistakes and imperfection. But there isnÍt a lot of room. Those who would be truly faithful to our Christian faith must act out that faithfulness in the presence of others, especially our loved ones and friends. In contrast to the man just mentioned, I have a friend and church member who was diagnosed with cancer a couple years ago. It was a serious form of the disease. He underwent invasive surgery and chemotherapy. At last report, the cancer has been excised or is in remission and has been for a year. This man has faced his illness with such triumphant faith and good spirit that another man whom I have known for years „ a man who ñnever darkened the door of a church'' „ has begun to attend. The two have been friends for many years. This excellent witnessing has brought a cynic to Christ. True story.
1. Actions speak louder than words. Jesus said, ñNot everyone who says to me Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but the one who does the will of God.''
2. People close to us may be won to the faith if they see that it empowers and beautifies our lives.
3. This isnÍt always easy and may require some careful examination of our conduct when with other people. But it is important to remember that one thing which can spoil it all no matter how good we are otherwise is a judgmental attitude toward others.
Title: ñThe Healing Power''
Text: Mark 1:35-39
Theme: Of course we all must die, and there is no way that all illnesses and injuries can be healed. At least, our most informed medical science is unable as yet to defeat AIDS, certain forms of cancer, and some other diseases. If nothing else, old age will get us. Besides, if our faith is sincere, death should prove to be a blessing and the way to higher joy. But still, we all want to live a long and vigorous life without the limitations of illness. Clearly, our outlook on life, our personalities, our lifestyles, and most of all our faith can make this possible.
1. How we look at life determines health. Although genetic realities play a part „ genetic engineering lies in the future „ we have a lot of control over our physical and mental health.
2. Prayer plays a major role. Even Jesus had to pray in order to have the strength to do his work. Although we donÍt know exactly what is meant by ñdemons'' in this passage, we do know that there are destructive forces in our lives which deserve that word.
3. Some of the destructive forces „ addiction, extreme stress, abusive relationships, personal failures „ are forces we must learn to oppose and overcome. No one can do it for us. Prayer can be a major source of courage and strength by which to succeed in this. But it must be a partnership.
4. God surely expects me to exert my own efforts in winning the battles of life. While I do believe in the healing power of prayer, I donÍt expect Jesus to walk in and solve my problems for me. They are my responsibility, and instead of feeling sorry for myself, I am to stand tall (if not literally, then spiritually) and do my work. In this God will help.
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS
ThereÍs a beautiful word in a passage from Marjorie Kinnan RawlingsÍ lovely book, The Yearling. ItÍs a story about a poverty-stricken, uneducated family living in Florida. Two of the main characters are a man named Penny, who has retained his upright integrity through all his hardships, and a tragic, hopelessly crippled little boy with the funny name of Fodder Wing. Born both mentally and physically handicapped, this little boy never knew much about life. He never had a chance. His one pleasure was time spent with the animals of the woods nearby. His daddy would carry him out there sometimes, and when left alone, Fodder Wing seemed to draw the little animals to himself. He developed an affinity for the small creatures of the wild. They trusted him.
But Fodder Wing died. The family gathered by the open grave and they asked Penny if he would say the prayer. A simple man with no special eloquence, yet with a kind heart, Penny stepped to the grave and looked down on the little boy. He prayed:
O Lord, Almighty God. Hit ainÍt for us ignorant mortals to say whatÍs right and whatÍs wrong. Was ary one of us be a-doinÍ it, weÍd not of brung this pore boy into the world a cripple, and his mind teched. WeÍd of brought him in straight and tall like his brothers, fitten to live and work and do. But in a way of speakin,Í Lord, you done made it up to him. You give him a way with the wild creeturs. You give him a sort oÍ wisdom, made him knowinÍ and gentle. The birds come to him, and the varmints moved free about him, and like as not he could oÍ takened a she wild-cat right in his pore twisted hands.
Now youÍve done seed fit to take him where beinÍ crookedy in mind and limb donÍt matter. But Lord, hit pleasures us to think now you done straightened out them legs and that poor bent back and them hands. Hit pleasures us to think on him movinÍ around as easy as ary one. And Lord, give him a few red birds, and mebbe a squirrel and a Ícoon and a Ípossum to keep him compÍny, like he had here. All of us is somehow lonesome, but we know heÍll not be lonesome, do he have them leetle wild things around him, if it ainÍt askinÍ too much to put a few varmints in heavÍn. Thy will be done. Amen.
Do you feel that instinctive sense of the trustworthiness of God? ThatÍs the promise of the gospel. Whatever happens to us, even tragic death, God has the final word and the word is ñlove.'' Nothing will be lost.
____________
When I was in college, I was a member of a fraternity and had just been discharged from the U. S. Army. We did a lot of drinking and carousing. My wife was never much of a drinker back then (later quit completely), but the two of us were frequently where the fun was. However, there was one girl in our circle of partyers who didnÍt drink. She was president of my wifeÍs sorority and Miss Everything on campus. But hereÍs the point: she never showed the slightest disapproval toward others when we acted silly and stupid. She just never did so herself. And can you guess what happened? Whenever she was present, we all acted like ladies and gentlemen, but we were always glad she was present because, despite her teetotaling ways, she had a great personality. As I now look back, I realize that young girl, who practiced her quiet personal faith, influenced everyone who knew her. Now, today, after all the years that have passed, I remember her better than any of my other college friends. Interestingly, I still remember her name. It was ñJoy.''
____________
Remember Norman CousinsÍ experience as reported in his book Anatomy of an Illness? Diagnosed with ñan incurable, eventually fatal illness,'' he had himself moved from the hospital to another location. He got a television and a VCR, and played tapes of all his favorite comedies. People like Laurel and Hardy, and the Marx brothers paraded before him. He laughed. He ordered that any visitor must be upbeat and fun. Soon, under the influence of laughter and positive spirit, he began to improve. One day he walked back to his office, completely healed. Here was a splendid example of a man taking full responsibility for his own life, and demonstrating how a positive outlook can exert healing power.
____________
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 147:1-11 (C) „ ñHow good it is to sing praises to our God.''
Psalm 146 (RC) „ ñPraise the Lord, O my soul.''
Psalm 142 (E) „ ñWith my voice I cry to the Lord.''
Prayer Of The Day
Fill us with love, O God, that we may become instruments of your divine healing grace. Show us the particular ways in which this love is to be given. Reveal to us those people in our lives whose needs we may meet by the exercise of that love which you awaken within us. Energize us, we pray, in doing those acts of love which can make this world a better place for the people in our lives. In ChristÍs name we pray.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 40:21-31 (C)
This lesson includes what is probably the best known of all Old Testament passages: ñThose who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.'' The entire lesson, using marvelous imagery, declares the supremacy of God over all creation, acknowledges the difficulty of the human situation which ordains that even the young and strong ñwill faint and be weary,'' then offers its splendid promise.
These words were written during the imprisonment of many leading Jews in Babylon. It was a time of discouragement and hopelessness. Of course some Jews who had been required to move to Babylon had become integrated into their new community. But others had refused to allow this. These people had resisted. Instead, they yearned for a return to their homeland, to the days of their youth. Now the writer of Isaiah (probably not his name) assures those who yearn for home that their hopes will not be disappointed.
People of true faith must have known the birth of renewed hope at the hearing of IsaiahÍs assurance. It would seem these people had a more immediate sense of GodÍs presence or, as in their current situation, GodÍs absence, than do most people today. God seemed to have deserted them. Or, if not that, to have ordained unbearable heartbreak and loneliness for them. But Isaiah says No. God will be faithful, will see them through. This is a powerful word for us to relay to our people today.
Lesson 1: Job 7:1-4, 6-7 (RC)
ñI am allotted months of emptiness, and nights of misery are apportioned to me.'' There it is, not only the bitter discouragement of one man, but the age-old cry of all of us at one time or another in our lives. The death of a loved one, a stubborn illness, repeated vocational failure, betrayal by someone we love. But of course we know that Job would eventually find his faith again because he would discover, just as Isaiah assured us, that God is faithful and will enable us to transcend such misery.
Lesson 1: 2 Kings 4:(8-17) 18-21 (22-31) 32-37 (E)
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 (C, E); 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23 (RC)
We could certainly use this passage if asked to address a gathering of fellow preachers. But as it applies to our congregation, we see that Paul first makes clear that he is not preaching because it seemed like a worthy vocation, which he therefore chose, but because he really has no choice. God has called him to it. Therefore, almost in the spirit of the prophet who believes he speaks for God, Paul assures the people of Corinth that he will live along with them in such way as to display the gospel. When with Jews, he chooses to live as one even though while an ethnic Jew he is no longer a religious Jew. But his love for his people transcends religious laws. If he must obey the laws which he no longer accepts in his heart, in order to win them, he will. But when with Gentiles, he is no longer a Jew among Gentiles, he is a ñGentile'' in his heart, in order to be one with them in Christ. To generalize on this for our purposes, he is urging that a Christian be willing to ñdo as the Romans do'' when with potential converts, not, however, compromising oneÍs values.
Gospel: Mark 1:29-39 (C, RC, E)
Jesus heals several people, according to this passage. Given the strenuous nature of this work „ ask any physician or counselor „ it is significant that Jesus was up before dawn so that he could be by himself to pray. We wonÍt deal with the issue of demons here since we considered that at some length last week. There are two other possible emphases here for sermon preparation. One is that of healing. In this regard, the passage raises some questions. Does the fact that Jesus healed SimonÍs mother-in-law mean we can be healed likewise? Or was the physical presence of Jesus necessary? How much did the emotional element play a part in the healing, not only of SimonÍs mother-in-law, but of all the healings? Most of the those people came simply wanting to get well. ItÍs unlikely that they had faith in the sense that Jesus would commend faith in God to us. Their faith was about the same as the faith you and I have when we go see our doctor.
What this passage really does is raise the primary question: did Jesus heal people by the performance of miracles, or did their simple expectation that he could heal them open them up to healing forces available to us today? We now know that our emotions play a major role in physical health. Scientists speak of the ñcancer personality.'' That is people who hold their emotions in, donÍt have many friends, are uptight about life. Franz Alexander, M.D., wrote: ñThe fact that the mind rules the body is, in spite of its neglect by biology and medicine, the most fundamental fact which we know about life.''
In his widely read Love, Medicine, and Miracles, Dr. Bernie S. Siegel, M.D., wrote: ñThe immune system, then, is controlled by the brain, either indirectly through hormones in the bloodstream, or directly through the nerves and neurochemicals. One of the most widely accepted explanations of cancer, the ïsurveillance theory,Í states that cancer cells are developing in our bodies all the time but are normally destroyed by white blood cells before they can develop into dangerous tumors. Cancer appears when the immune system becomes suppressed and can no longer deal with this routine threat. It follows that whatever upsets the brainÍs control of the immune system will foster malignancy.''
Siegel is making the point that our emotional state, our attitude, our faith if you will, plays a profound part in illness or its avoidance. Dr. Herbert Benson of Harvard Medical School has shown that cholesterol levels can be controlled by a combination of meditation and exercise. A recent experiment down in Clearwater, Florida, in which AIDS patients were divided into two groups, one being prayed for systematically, one not, showed a remarkable difference in survival rate, those being prayed for having survived far longer than those who were not.
The evidence is growing as medical science begins to open its mind to the interrelationship of physical and emotional factors that healing is not only a physical dynamic. Our outlook on life and the way we implement that outlook in our lifestyle and in our religion determine our fate. Siegel concludes that love is the most healing force of all. He concludes his book with this: ñWe have an infinite number of choices ahead, but a finite number of endings. They are destruction and death, or love and healing. If we choose the path of love we save ourselves and our universe.'' Then this: ñLet us choose love and life.''
Is that the explanation then? Did Jesus, as the personification of perfect love, embody healing so profoundly that his mere touch could cast out whatever destructive forces were otherwise working within? I suggested that I see two possible preaching possibilities. The other is the importance of prayer, as even Jesus could only go on through prayer. But maybe the two themes are inseparable. Maybe by prayer, we are enabled to love in a way which heals.
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Title: ñThe Faithfulness Of God''
Text: Isaiah 40:29-31
Theme: Many of us are more or less comfortable in our life situations. But many are not. This word is for them. I always liked what one minister related, about a conversation with a parishioner who admitted that he felt uncomfortable in any social situation when a minister was present. ñYou see, Reverend,'' said the well-intentioned gentleman, ñyou ministers live in such a protected environment. YouÍre the personification of goodness, so the rest of us who have to live in the real world are careful what we say.''
The minister said he only smiled as he reflected on his past week. The woman who came to confess an affair, now fearing for her marriage. The young man who was contemplating suicide. The middle-aged banker facing financial ruin. The boy in reform school. The alcoholic teenager. All pouring out their anguish to their pastor. And of course, the hours in the hospital waiting room with the anxious family, followed by the agonizing hour at the mortuary. No, he didnÍt try to explain it to his parishioner, but he said he wondered just how many people in his church knew the ñreal world'' half so well as he did. Yes, our people may not realize just how much we preachers really do know about that wonderful but often painful world in which we live. But we know. We know how hungrily some of them will receive this word from Isaiah.
1. God is faithful. This is the dominant theme of the Bible. Read the Psalms. Read Job. Read Isaiah. Read the words of Jesus. God is faithful.
2. We all must face lifeÍs troubles. ñMan is born to trouble,'' wrote the author of Job.
3. God empowers us. DonÍt we sing it? ñGrant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of this hour....'' Paul wrote: ñI can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.'' Jesus, using a hyperbole of breathtaking implication, told us we could move mountains by our faith.
4. Whatever it is, you can triumph.
Title: ñLiving Like We Mean It''
Text: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Theme: I remember something a fellow pastor told me a few years ago. He was attending a rather formal open house. While talking with a parishioner, they were shocked to hear an outburst of obscene language from a man standing nearby. The man was berating an ethnic minority group in no uncertain terms. Suddenly, their eyes met „ the angry man and the pastor. The man was the Lay Leader of the pastorÍs church. My friend told me that man never came back to church.
ThereÍs room for mistakes and imperfection. But there isnÍt a lot of room. Those who would be truly faithful to our Christian faith must act out that faithfulness in the presence of others, especially our loved ones and friends. In contrast to the man just mentioned, I have a friend and church member who was diagnosed with cancer a couple years ago. It was a serious form of the disease. He underwent invasive surgery and chemotherapy. At last report, the cancer has been excised or is in remission and has been for a year. This man has faced his illness with such triumphant faith and good spirit that another man whom I have known for years „ a man who ñnever darkened the door of a church'' „ has begun to attend. The two have been friends for many years. This excellent witnessing has brought a cynic to Christ. True story.
1. Actions speak louder than words. Jesus said, ñNot everyone who says to me Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but the one who does the will of God.''
2. People close to us may be won to the faith if they see that it empowers and beautifies our lives.
3. This isnÍt always easy and may require some careful examination of our conduct when with other people. But it is important to remember that one thing which can spoil it all no matter how good we are otherwise is a judgmental attitude toward others.
Title: ñThe Healing Power''
Text: Mark 1:35-39
Theme: Of course we all must die, and there is no way that all illnesses and injuries can be healed. At least, our most informed medical science is unable as yet to defeat AIDS, certain forms of cancer, and some other diseases. If nothing else, old age will get us. Besides, if our faith is sincere, death should prove to be a blessing and the way to higher joy. But still, we all want to live a long and vigorous life without the limitations of illness. Clearly, our outlook on life, our personalities, our lifestyles, and most of all our faith can make this possible.
1. How we look at life determines health. Although genetic realities play a part „ genetic engineering lies in the future „ we have a lot of control over our physical and mental health.
2. Prayer plays a major role. Even Jesus had to pray in order to have the strength to do his work. Although we donÍt know exactly what is meant by ñdemons'' in this passage, we do know that there are destructive forces in our lives which deserve that word.
3. Some of the destructive forces „ addiction, extreme stress, abusive relationships, personal failures „ are forces we must learn to oppose and overcome. No one can do it for us. Prayer can be a major source of courage and strength by which to succeed in this. But it must be a partnership.
4. God surely expects me to exert my own efforts in winning the battles of life. While I do believe in the healing power of prayer, I donÍt expect Jesus to walk in and solve my problems for me. They are my responsibility, and instead of feeling sorry for myself, I am to stand tall (if not literally, then spiritually) and do my work. In this God will help.
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS
ThereÍs a beautiful word in a passage from Marjorie Kinnan RawlingsÍ lovely book, The Yearling. ItÍs a story about a poverty-stricken, uneducated family living in Florida. Two of the main characters are a man named Penny, who has retained his upright integrity through all his hardships, and a tragic, hopelessly crippled little boy with the funny name of Fodder Wing. Born both mentally and physically handicapped, this little boy never knew much about life. He never had a chance. His one pleasure was time spent with the animals of the woods nearby. His daddy would carry him out there sometimes, and when left alone, Fodder Wing seemed to draw the little animals to himself. He developed an affinity for the small creatures of the wild. They trusted him.
But Fodder Wing died. The family gathered by the open grave and they asked Penny if he would say the prayer. A simple man with no special eloquence, yet with a kind heart, Penny stepped to the grave and looked down on the little boy. He prayed:
O Lord, Almighty God. Hit ainÍt for us ignorant mortals to say whatÍs right and whatÍs wrong. Was ary one of us be a-doinÍ it, weÍd not of brung this pore boy into the world a cripple, and his mind teched. WeÍd of brought him in straight and tall like his brothers, fitten to live and work and do. But in a way of speakin,Í Lord, you done made it up to him. You give him a way with the wild creeturs. You give him a sort oÍ wisdom, made him knowinÍ and gentle. The birds come to him, and the varmints moved free about him, and like as not he could oÍ takened a she wild-cat right in his pore twisted hands.
Now youÍve done seed fit to take him where beinÍ crookedy in mind and limb donÍt matter. But Lord, hit pleasures us to think now you done straightened out them legs and that poor bent back and them hands. Hit pleasures us to think on him movinÍ around as easy as ary one. And Lord, give him a few red birds, and mebbe a squirrel and a Ícoon and a Ípossum to keep him compÍny, like he had here. All of us is somehow lonesome, but we know heÍll not be lonesome, do he have them leetle wild things around him, if it ainÍt askinÍ too much to put a few varmints in heavÍn. Thy will be done. Amen.
Do you feel that instinctive sense of the trustworthiness of God? ThatÍs the promise of the gospel. Whatever happens to us, even tragic death, God has the final word and the word is ñlove.'' Nothing will be lost.
____________
When I was in college, I was a member of a fraternity and had just been discharged from the U. S. Army. We did a lot of drinking and carousing. My wife was never much of a drinker back then (later quit completely), but the two of us were frequently where the fun was. However, there was one girl in our circle of partyers who didnÍt drink. She was president of my wifeÍs sorority and Miss Everything on campus. But hereÍs the point: she never showed the slightest disapproval toward others when we acted silly and stupid. She just never did so herself. And can you guess what happened? Whenever she was present, we all acted like ladies and gentlemen, but we were always glad she was present because, despite her teetotaling ways, she had a great personality. As I now look back, I realize that young girl, who practiced her quiet personal faith, influenced everyone who knew her. Now, today, after all the years that have passed, I remember her better than any of my other college friends. Interestingly, I still remember her name. It was ñJoy.''
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Remember Norman CousinsÍ experience as reported in his book Anatomy of an Illness? Diagnosed with ñan incurable, eventually fatal illness,'' he had himself moved from the hospital to another location. He got a television and a VCR, and played tapes of all his favorite comedies. People like Laurel and Hardy, and the Marx brothers paraded before him. He laughed. He ordered that any visitor must be upbeat and fun. Soon, under the influence of laughter and positive spirit, he began to improve. One day he walked back to his office, completely healed. Here was a splendid example of a man taking full responsibility for his own life, and demonstrating how a positive outlook can exert healing power.
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Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 147:1-11 (C) „ ñHow good it is to sing praises to our God.''
Psalm 146 (RC) „ ñPraise the Lord, O my soul.''
Psalm 142 (E) „ ñWith my voice I cry to the Lord.''
Prayer Of The Day
Fill us with love, O God, that we may become instruments of your divine healing grace. Show us the particular ways in which this love is to be given. Reveal to us those people in our lives whose needs we may meet by the exercise of that love which you awaken within us. Energize us, we pray, in doing those acts of love which can make this world a better place for the people in our lives. In ChristÍs name we pray.
