February 9, 2014: Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Isaiah 58:1-9a, (9b-12)
1 Corinthians 2:1-12, (13-16)
Matthew 5:13-20
Psalm 112:1-9, (10)
In my work as a hospital chaplain, I meet many patients whose lives are broken, whose dreams are gone, and whose hearts are bruised and sore. They have little to look forward to, and much suffering to endure. Their broken lives may be due to poverty, addiction, the experience of emotional or physical abuse, or psychological or physical trauma.
Jesus might say these kinds of people do not know or have forgotten how to be salt for the earth, light for the world. Their own internal light is only a flicker: how can they shine brightly for others? When I meet these kinds of people, I feel a sense of frustration and sadness that so little can be done for them in the brief time they are in the hospital. I know that even though these broken individuals are treated with kindness and compassion by the hospital staff while they are there, very little true healing can take place in such a short time.
And so I pray with these suffering people and I pray for them, that they will be enveloped and embraced by God’s healing love, for there is little I can do to help them in the short time I am with them. In my thoughts and in my prayers, I surround them with the unconditional acceptance of God, whose love may help them to remember that no matter where they’ve been or who they are, they are still beloved of God. In this way I hope they are able to shine maybe just a little brighter.