As the faithful have gathered, I have been most impressed by the various ways in which Christians live out their vocations. Our calling is to live a life of service and devotion to and on behalf of God. In our baptism we are called to be Christ-like vessels of grace to the world. We all do this a bit differently, but it is through our everyday lives that we put flesh on the gospel.
Recently I have been thinking about the healers in our midst. Many Disciples fall into this category for me. Across our region, we have physicians, nurses, therapists of every kind, counselors, technicians, researchers and administrators who serve Christ and humanity through the providing of health care. This is a high and holy calling indeed. You have to be “built” for this life, and the grace and gifts of God must be present for the work to be effective. I have been privileged to have been cared for by health care providers who have a deep sense that they are living as God has called them to live.
In the midst of their work, they are vessels of grace, of the faith, and of God. This is a wonderful vocation, and praise be to God that healers have been placed in the world. It seems clear to me, that Jesus has enlisted these fine folk to aid him in the work of healing our bodies. This is a gift that we dare not take for granted.
Jennifer and I have a dear friend who is a massage therapist. She is quite good at it, and before she begins her healing work, she offers a quiet prayer for God’s presence in the act. She yields herself to God and is very much aware, it seems, that she is a conduit. This is a beautiful act of faith. Just prior to my wife being anesthetized a couple of years ago for an ankle reconstruction, I shared with the surgeon, who is also quite gifted at what he does, that I had said a prayer for him. He shared with me just how much that meant to him. He is a vessel that God uses to heal and to relieve pain, but seems keenly aware that God is the source of healing.
In sacred scripture there are plenty of examples of Jesus touching people and making them well. He does this because he loves us. Today, still, the touch of God comes to us as love. I give thanks for the healers in our midst. I give thanks for their vocations and for their participation with God in the healing and relief that God wants for us all.
I give thanks for you.
Love,
Thad
