Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Today’s text

Mark 1:29-32

And at once on leaving the synagogue, he went with James and John straight to the house of Simon and Andrew. Now Simon's mother-in-law was in bed and feverish, and at once they told him about her. He went in to her, took her by the hand and helped her up. And the fever left her and she began to serve them.

Reflection

Some moments freeze in time. Time stops so that you can look at what is happening and examine it before it is lost in the next action and the next.

I see two hands, Jesus. Your brown hand reaches beneath the hand of this unnamed woman, known to us only by her relationship to one of your followers.

I see you reach down as she lifts her hands to you. You take it and raise her up, gently, slowly, with little effort, it seems. Before I see her uncertain eyes searching for yours, I see only the hands.

And they tell the story of who you are and what you are doing.

They speak your care and desire to lift us above the maladies that weigh us down, holding us to earth, preventing flights of joy and purpose.

You would lift us beyond ourselves into life.

So lift us, Jesus, that we may know the strength and care of your hand, raising us to what we yet may be.

Pr. David L. Miller