Word to the Wise
Friday, January 8, 2016 - Friday after Epiphany, or Jan. 11
[1 John 5:5-13 and Luke 5:12-16]"Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean." Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, "I do will it. Be made clean." And the leprosy left him immediately. [Luke]
During this "time after the Epiphany of the Lord" we have been presented with examples of the revelation of Jesus' power. We heard about the multiplication of the loaves and fishes and Jesus walking on water. We heard about him teaching in the synagogues. Today we hear about his healing power on behalf of the leper who approaches him. All of these stories speak to us of the revelation of God in the person of Jesus. We should remember, too, that recognition of this power was not unanimous, nor is it today! His own people in Nazareth rejected him. The scribes and Pharisees and other religious authorities would reject him.
In a "secular" and "scientific" world, how can we recognize the power of Jesus? The simplest way, it seems to me, is to live in accord with his teachings and actions. When people see faith and love in our behavior they respond to it. They don't have to run a survey or a lab test to experience God's love given through the lives and goodness of faithful believers. If we "put skin on" our faith, people can feel it. Yes, there will be rejection by some, but we will be in the same position as the Lord when it comes to that. We simply keep on with the mission to spread the gospel by word and deed. AMEN