eveningsky2005

 

July 13 2006

Hos 11:1-4, 8e-9 Thus says the LORD: When Israel was a child I loved him, out of Egypt I called my son. The more I called them,the farther they went from me, Sacrificing to the Baalsand burning incense to idols. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk,who took them in my arms; I drew them with human cords,with bands of love; I fostered them like one who raises an infant to his cheeks; Yet, though I stooped to feed my child, they did not know that I was their healer. My heart is overwhelmed,my pity is stirred. I will not give vent to my blazing anger, I will not destroy Ephraim again; For I am God and not man, the Holy One present among you; I will not let the flames consume you. The word of the Lord.


Ps 80:2ac and 3b, 15-16 R. (4b) Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken.From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.Rouse your power.
R. Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,look down from heaven, and see:Take care of this vine,and protect what your right hand has planted,the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R. Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.

2 Cor 12:7-10
Brothers and sisters:That I, Paul, might not become too elated, because of the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan,to beat me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me,but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,
for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses,in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults,hardships, persecutions, and constraints,for the sake of Christ;for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Mt 10:7-15 Jesus said to his Apostles:“As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead,cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts;no sack for the journey, or a second tunic,or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep.Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it,and stay there until you leave.As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you. Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words—go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet. Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.”

Whoever will not listen...shake the dust off of your feet. If the house is not worthy, let your peace return to you. There are times that after proclaiming the Word, if people choose to not follow God's ways then it means it is time to move on not to stay and wrestle with that resistance and lack of faith.

There are so many ways to serve the Lord. The disciples wished peace on all who allowed them to enter their houses. There is a peace that passes all understanding. Life and time are precious. The disciples are to give to others and heal without cost. Gifts and life are gifts given freely without cost. It is a blessing to give without cost to others and a grace that brings joy and uncounted rewards.

God is loving and merciful, forgiving and ever present. The first reading tells of God's enduring love for God's people. It also tells how God's people forgot God and did not see that it was God who was feeding and healing them.

The second reading has repeated most of this week. There is great strength in weakness. In struggles with Satan the end result is more strength at the end of the struggle if it is for the sake of Christ.

I pray today for the young people that I have worked with who want now to be nursing students and there are not enough places in the local colleges for them even thought they are wonderful people with great values and good students. There were about 800 that applied for 70 spots at the university where I teach this summer. I pray that soon the local hospitals, the state and the federal government can support the opening of more positions so these dedicated and sincere, bright young people can help heal others. There is such a need for new nurses but programs to educate them need help now so that more of these wonderful applicants can be accepted. I pray that they perservere in their seeking a healing profession and that there is help in expanding programs soon. I pray especially this morning also for the people that I know who are sick and in need of God's healing today.