God's Healing Hands

This past week we celebrated St. Luke’s Day. Luke was a doctor and an author, contributing two books to the New Testament, which tell the story of God's power to heal.

Here he describes how Jesus gives his first public account of his mission. He has been invited to read from the prophet Isaiah:

'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour.' And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, 'Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.'

Luke 4:18-21

Isaiah's words had been written hundreds of years earlier, to describe the work of God's servant as reaching out to those on the margins - the poor, the disabled, the exploited and those in prison.

In Moldova the poverty, ill health and crime traps them in a vicious circle. And it’s not just individuals – the entire society suffers injustice, leaving them struggling with the burden of their nation's debt.

Christians across the centuries have been inspired by the scripture that Jesus quotes. They have fought against the slave trade, and the exploitation of women and children. They campaign now to make poverty history. They share the vision of one world, God's world, where those on the margins are placed at the centre of our concerns so that all may share in the Lord's favour, the great Jubilee.

And many of you are realising that together you help change a child’s life by merely becoming involved.

Jesus Christ, Redeemer, Friend and Brother, we pray for all countries and continents, families and communities who face the challenges of this present time. Help us to work together to bring peace and justice to all. Amen

Who Are We Forgetting?

Good Samaritans Among Us

I offer this morning’s devotional in reflection upon my recent experience in Vienna Austria:

Most adults and, indeed, most of their children know the story of the Good Samaritan. And most of us would have a ready answer to the question, ‘According to Jesus, who is my neighbour?’

Our answer would be simple and clear: ‘Everybody,’ and our answer would be right. But that doesn't close the matter. There’s a further question: Is our right answer surface knowledge or dynamic knowledge? Is it strictly correct information, or does it actually affect and determine the way we live?

That’s the crucial question for us all, and it can be phrased in another way: How Christian are we, in fact? Does Jesus’ teaching determine our priorities, our lifestyle, the way we do business, the way we treat one another, our willingness to forgive, our readiness to help?

It’s a chilling thought to remember that Stalin, Hitler, and Mussolini were all baptised Christians who knew their prayers by heart. So how Christian are you really? Check the patterns of your daily choices, and you’ll know right away. The patterns never lie.

Lord Christ, form the patterns of our lives. We open ourselves to Your love. Guide us, Lord, let our daily living be always a reflection of You. Amen