Thought for the Week:
Sometimes, as followers of Christ from different traditions, we get into conflict over how faith works. Is God a personal God seeking individual commitment? Can we serve God effectively on our own without a faith community? Or does God work through groups – churches, communities, families? Must we belong to some congregation in order to be faithful to Christ? Through the centuries, Christian teachers have emphasized on or the other, but perhaps we do ourselves a disservice when we make these two possibilities a choice.
This Sunday we read that Jesus goes home with Simon where Simon’s mother-in-law is very ill and Jesus heals her. It’s a touching story of remarkable particularity in Jesus’ ministry. It reveals his care for and commitment to the individuals who had chosen to follow him. There is no question, when we read this story, that God is a personal God, available to each of us individually. But, then, immediately after this story, we discover the whole community gathering at the door of the house – bringing their needs to Jesus. And, again, with this nameless crowd, Jesus is present, available and compassionate. Finally, after taking some time out to recharge, the disciples tell Jesus that people are looking for him, but he tells them that they must continue on to other villages in the region to minister to others. It’s like the Gospel writer wants to show us how Jesus’ ministry moved so comfortably from the individual to the community to the country. Jesus did not choose between individuals and communities. He embraced both.
There are challenges and benefits to both personal spirituality and to communal worship, and I believe that in some form we all need both. This week, you may want to explore how you can bring your personal worship and your public worship together as you seek to love and follow Christ.
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Reading: Mark 1:29-39
Reflection:
It is encouraging to see how Jesus moved so easily from serving a friend’s mother-in-law to serving a whole town. Perhaps we can’t all do this. Some of us are, perhaps, more able to serve one-on-one, bringing God’s grace to individuals one at a time. In this way, we represent one aspect of Christ’s grace to others. Others of us may be more effective at serving groups, but find one-on-one ministry difficult. In this way, we represent the other aspect of Christ’s grace. Both of these are valid and valuable ways to serve. When we can partner with each other, so that both individuals and groups are well served, then, I believe, we are able to more fully embody Christ’s message and grace. This is one of the reasons I still in believe in the Church.
However we may serve, though, it’s important to take note of the fact that even Jesus needed to take time out by himself to pray, to rest and recharge his energies. When we fail to manage our health like this, our ministry will inevitably begin to lose its effectiveness. We do well, though, when we follow Christ’s example, and make time for the things that restore us. Then, when we have recharged, we can return to service with enthusiasm and strength.
How best do you serve God and others – in groups, or one-on-one? How can you do more of this today? And, as you serve, how can you make time to rest and recharge?
Practice for Today:
At the start of our worship, we often employ a practice that opens us to God’s restoring, energising Spirit. It’s called “invocation” and it means “to call on God’s Spirit” to move among us and within us again. Today, why not try “invoking” the Spirit of God whenever you need wisdom, guidance, energy or grace to serve?
Breath-Prayer for Today:
Come, Holy Spirit, empower me again that I may serve faithfully as you call me to.
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