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A Neighbor and His Daughter

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“A Neighbor and His Daughter”

Matthew 9:18-26 (9:25) – July 20, 2025

Welcome to the neighborhood! St. Luke’s Church neighborhood, that is.

I am continuing with our summer sermon series on Mister Rogers. You know, Fred Rogers, of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. I watched the television show with my small children – all four of them, at various times. I so appreciated Fred’s gentle, caring, loving way of speaking to everyone. Not only the children. He was the real deal. Fred was a genuine, caring, compassionate person, interested in everyone and everything. And, especially in children.

We are looking at a Scripture reading today that highlights a child, this week. Actually, it highlights both a girl child and a sick, unmarried woman, two people who were second-class citizens in the society of Jesus’s day. Women, especially unmarried women, were second-class, as were children. The only people who were of any worth in first-century society were males, and especially free males who owned property.  

But, let us leave this social class commentary for another day. I want us to concentrate on, first of all, the man who approaches the Rabbi Jesus, to ask if He could come and heal his daughter who is very sick. Actually, this narrative appears in three of the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark and Luke. There are slight differences in the telling of the narrative. In two accounts, the sick girl is still living, but at the point of death. In Matthew’s account, she has already died. In any of these narratives, it is a terrible tragedy for this father.

We understand that if two individuals are eye-witnesses to a car accident, but see it from the opposite sides of the street, we will have two different perspectives of the same accident. Just so here. Just so with the three writers of the Gospels. We see slightly different accounts of the same incident. With Matthew’s account, the father comes to Jesus, begging Him to come and heal his daughter – his dead daughter.

The father Jairus is the leader of the local synagogue. Not just a common attender or member, but the leader. He comes to the rabbi Jesus for help in a time of severe need. He must have been at the end of his rope, the end of all of his resources. Except – as the leader of his synagogue, leaders are trained to be competent and in control, and not supposed to be in desperate agony or heartbreaking fear of losing a much beloved family member. In fact, Jairus threw himself at Jesus’s feet, begging Him to come and raise his daughter from the dead. “He is desperate; his love for his daughter has left him utterly vulnerable.” [1]

As the rabbi Jesus agrees and starts to go with the distraught father, we meet the second of these three people we are concerned with today. This unmarried woman has been sick for a long, long time. Twelve years. She has no standing in her community, and “apparently has no advocate to beseech this teacher on her behalf….Mark’s [account] doesn’t make a point of her impurity or isolation from the community, but because this was most likely vaginal bleeding it would have rendered her impure and, just as important, likely unable to bear children.” [2]

So, we have two desperate people. Two people at the end of their rope, vulnerable for different reasons. This unnamed woman was brave enough, desperate enough, to try to touch the cloak of this Rabbi. As she said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” Both of these people were seriously grieving, and were reaching out for help.

Both of these dear people – dear to our Lord Jesus – displayed tremendous vulnerability. Vulnerability was and is not a trait that is held up to be something that leaders of groups or CEOs of companies or corporations strive to emulate. Actually, Fred Rogers was vulnerable to lots of people, places and things. Willingly so. He considered vulnerability a strength, considering other people and their feelings and emotions. Just like Jesus did, too.  Fred Rogers saw the neighbor in people, just like Jesus, too.  

Mister Rogers said, “It takes strength to face our sadness and to grieve and to let our grief and our anger flow in tears when they need to. It takes strength to talk about our feelings and to reach out for help and comfort when we need it.” [3]

We are forgetting the third person in this narrative, though. The girl, terribly sick, at the point of death. It is easy to forget about her. She’s twelve years old, utterly helpless and passive, dependent on others, helpless to do anything about anything.

Here are three characters, three people that Jesus touches, heals in different ways. Life-changing ways. Which one do you identify with? “The leader who finds that all the usual advantages and experience that go with his office suddenly avail him nothing? The one who has endured much and isn’t sure she can bear any more? Or the one who is helpless, utterly dependent on others? Which one do you identify with?” [4]

It is only in our admitting our vulnerability that we are able to receive help, and only by admitting our desperation are we willing to try something, anything, that may give us hope. These admissions are not the end of the world! These admissions – these cries for help show that we are not rugged individualists, going it all alone, after all. We can show that we are part of a community, part of a neighborhood. This is a true way of showing courage, leaving behind the false culture of perfection, individualism and stiff upper lip.

This is what being a neighbor is all about, and what both Jesus and Fred Rogers advocate. Can we show mutual respect to others – all others? These three individuals are certainly from three widely different parts of society, and Jesus met them all where they needed Him most. Can we display inter-dependence freely, even call it what it is – the inter-dependence of the Kingdom of God that Jesus keeps preaching about?

Each of us has our own vulnerable, secret (or, not so secret) places inside that call for attention, call for healing and nurture and comfort. All of us have those places and spaces where we grieve and where we wish we could reach out. We all need a nurturing, healing neighborhood of trust, respect and caring.

 Can we – can you and I commit to being that caring community for others? That safe space where others who are hurting and need healing feel the trust and openness? Jesus definitely had that safe space and healing presence all around Him. Fred Rogers did, too. I strive to be that safe space and healing presence for others. See if you can be that for others, too. For all others, just like Jesus. Just like Fred Rogers, too.

And, the best part about this is that you and I do not need to have it all “together” and perfect to do this, to be that safe space. We just need to be open, willing and available to welcome all others into the neighborhood. What would Jesus do? What would Fred Rogers do? Go, do that.

(Thank you so much to David Lose and workingpreacher.org for the wonderful article on Jesus’ very busy day, https://www.workingpreacher.org/dear-working-preacher/come-as-you-are. Much appreciated!)

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[1] https://www.workingpreacher.org/dear-working-preacher/come-as-you-are

[2] Ibid.

[3] https://www.fredrogersinstitute.org/resources/reflections-on-fred-rogers-healing-power-of-presence

[4] https://www.workingpreacher.org/dear-working-preacher/come-as-you-are

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On Eagle’s Wings

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“On Eagle’s Wings” – Memorial Meditation

Isaiah 40:28-31 – Sunday, October 20, 2024

            My husband Kevin is a homebody – most of the time. However, he does enjoy occasionally hitting the road. I suggested to him about two months ago that we take a road trip, so we planned to go to the Smokies National Park next week. That is, until Hurricane Helene blasted right through that region, causing devastation all the way from landfall in Florida to many points north. The official Smokies park service website now pleads with prospective visitors not to visit, at least for a while, because of the massive clean-up that needs to be done.

            So, since I have PTO time reserved away from work already, my husband and I made a quick switch to someplace closer to home. On Wednesday, we are heading to Cahokia Mounds near St. Louis, to Pere Marquette State Park, on the Mississippi River, and to Starved Rock State Park. I know this is not prime time to see eagles, but I hope that perhaps we will catch a glimpse of these magnificent birds on their migration south to open waters for the winter! 

One of Carol Metler’s favorite church hymns was “On Eagle’s Wings.” This lovely, newer gospel song was originally written as a verse and refrain for Psalm 91, which affirms that we find refuge under God’s wings. The refrain of this gospel song is most sung in Protestant congregations – “And God will raise you up on eagles’ wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun and hold you in the palm of God’s hand.” 

            Whether we consider Psalm 91 or Isaiah chapter 40, both sections of the Bible talk about God’s protecting hand – and more! Listen to the words of the prophet again: “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

This chapter in Isaiah especially mentions the followers of God soaring on wings like eagles. You know and I know the followers of God often do not have an easy time of it. Life is not a walk in the park. Life is a challenge, sometimes. Even, more often than that, sometimes.

            I suspect our dear Carol knew that life was a challenge, many times in her life. She was stubborn, and persistent, and she made it through – with God’s help!

            However, I would like to step back and consider the historical context of this biblical passage. Isaiah chapter 40 was written while the Jewish people were in exile in Babylon, and it is  in the section of the book that deals with comfort. This reading comes from the very middle of Exile.  The Jewish people had been stuck in the foreign country long enough to feel like everything was going wrong and God wasn’t doing anything to help them. [1]

Commentator Dr. Steed Davidson stresses God’s power at work. The prophet does a compare/contrast thing here. Human people are inadequate to change the long distances of history and the circumstances of life. But – but – God is the Creator of heaven and earth! God has strength and power that transcends faulty human striving. Plus, verse 31 calls on “listeners to participate in God’s processes in order to experience transformation.” [2]

            God gives strength to the weary to continue. God comes alongside those who are bone tired, so weak and dispirited that, of themselves, they could not take even one more step. But, God! But – God! Have you ever been so tired, or worn out, or anxious, fearful, discouraged – or one of a dozen other downhearted emotions? And then – but, God!

            Imagine trying your hardest on a challenging project, and feeling like you got to the end of yourself. You can’t give any more. And then, but, God! Or, imagine you are sitting by the bed of a loved one recovering from serious surgery or in the middle of chemotherapy, and you feel so helpless to help your dear loved one. And then, but, God! God transforms everything.

            “But” is usually a negative, a placeholder, a frowny face kind of a word, in so many situations. “But” so often has negative connotations – except for this one, here – but, God!

            God transcends the negative language that we use. God transforms any downhearted stammering of “but, but, but…” into a positive, blooming, blessing of “but – God!” Showing the renewing, revitalizing possibilities of our Lord. Like the Refuge we run to, like a sturdy, safe Rock in the wilderness, God is so much more than we can possibly ask or think.

            The pastoral musician Father Michael Joncas wrote this song in the 1970’s, and it has been sung countless times, and in some very harrowing situations. Imagine the ultimate shock, horror and heart-rending grief of the September 11th attacks; this song was performed at many of the funerals of the victims of that attack. This song is often performed during or at the end of a Catholic funeral mass. And, we will have this song played later on in this worship service, too.

Countless people have been touched by the words and music of this hymn, and many of those same grieving, hurting people would testify that God did indeed come close to them through their difficult times, just as this song tells us.

            This is just what the authors of our two sections of Scripture wanted us to remember. Time and again, stories and narratives from the Bible remind us that the saints of old had challenges – difficulties – they had to deal with – walk through – even, soar above, on eagle’s wings. Can you relate? Hoping in the Lord is expecting that God’s promise of strength is a reality. God can come alongside. God can comfort and strengthen. Just as it was when our prophet wrote these words, just as it is now, today. God can assist us when we are alone as well as when we are together in one group, one congregation, one family.

“Do you not know? Have you not heard?” Praise the Lord, we know God’s protection and care is always with us, always holding us in the palm of God’s hand.

And to that, we all may say, alleluia, amen.

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[1] http://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/2015/01/year-b-5th-sunday-after-epiphany-5th.html

[2] https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/fifth-sunday-after-epiphany-2/commentary-on-isaiah-4021-31

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Be Like Martin Luther

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“Be Like Martin Luther” – October 25, 2020

Psalm 46:1-3 – Reformation Sunday

Here we are at Reformation Sunday, the week of the year when we remember Martin Luther posting his list of grievances against the church establishment of the Catholic Church, more than 500 years ago in 1517. These 95 grievances against the Church sparked a movement of protest that was felt around the world. And thus, the Protestant Church was born.

Father Martin Luther – for he was a Catholic priest – was a sincere, devout follower of Jesus Christ. He thought long and hard about sin and confession, faith and grace. He also thought a lot about God’s Word, and eventually translated the whole Bible – both Old and New Testaments – into German, the common tongue of his day and area of Germany.

The Catholic Church establishment certainly had it in for Martin Luther! After defending himself against strident criticism from scholars and theologians, and legal challenges for years, the official verdict was not in Luther’s favor. Because he would not recant his views on God, salvation by faith, and the Bible, Luther was officially on the run from the establishment.

Which brings us to our Scripture reading for today. Psalm 46. Martin had a very difficult time of it for a number of years, running in fear for his life. Is it any wonder that this marvelous psalm recounting God’s strength and refuge was Luther’s favorite psalm?

This is Reformation Sunday, after all. What could be more appropriate than to read Luther’s favorite psalm? Except – this was not only a favorite Scripture reading of Martin Luther. He also was a composer and poet. /Luther wrote the words and music for our opening hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” He used this psalm of comfort and refuge as a basis for this marvelous hymn.

In German, this hymn is called “Ein Feste Burg,” “a fortification that holds fast against any assault, a castle that can withstand every onslaught, a citadel that keeps those on the inside safe and secure from all attacks.” [1] Is anyone surprised that Martin Luther considered this comforting psalm his favorite? Even though everything is falling apart on all sides, he can stand safe and secure in his Lord.

I know Luther regularly prayed to God for protection and care, both internally as well as externally. Is that similar to us, today? In this year of the pandemic, with all the extreme weather events, the political disruption, and the wildfires of the past several months – the present situation resembles Psalm 46. “though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”

Sure, with everything going on in the world today, we have reason to be scared half to death! Yet, we have “a God who has been time-tested and, over and over again, can be trusted upon to keep you secure in your time of trouble. Either way – and in all times and circumstances – you have a God who has got you covered. That is what Psalm 46 declares. And that is what Luther wanted to proclaim in “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”” [2]

This precious hymn written by Luther was not only a refuge from earthly disasters, but is also personal in nature. Rev. Janet Hunt, a Lutheran minister, mentions that she hears it “as much more personal now, knowing as we do that ‘the old satanic foe’ threatened him with the sorts of ‘woes’ one could only begin to understand if one has been there. The heart-wrenching, life altering death of a child, to name but one. The days and nights of struggling to hold on to faith when the Church which had borne the faith to him no longer lived up to its promises. The fear which must have possessed Luther as his very life was threatened.” [3]

Thinking back to last week’s sermon, where Moses and the Lord were hanging out on top of the mountain, Moses wanted to see the Lord. God told Moses straight out that Moses would die if he beheld the Lord face to face. Isn’t that the God we have right here, in Psalm 46? Even though the all-powerful God could make the earth melt, and destroy us if we simply look at Him.

That is one mighty, all-powerful God! And to think, that is also the God who has chosen us, called us by name, and named us God’s beloved children. The Lord is a God who is Lord Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. Plus, the Lord is also a safe refuge, a comfort, one we can run to in times of great need. Praise God, I do not need to control everything.

Can we – you and I – loosen our tight grip on all we are clutching to our chests, knowing that God indeed holds everything? Including us?

This Reformation Sunday, I am not focused on God as our Mighty Fortress. Instead, Psalm 46 talks of a refuge, and a help in our great need.

Yes, God is indeed our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. That’s something to truly celebrate. Alleluia, amen.

[1] http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=754

Commentary, Psalm 46, Hans Weirsma, Reformation Day, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2010.

[2] “A Mighty Fortress is our God” is not the only English translation of Luther’s “Ein Feste Burg.” Thomas Carlyle, the nineteenth century Scottish commentator, offered this version: “A safe stronghold our God is still, a trusty shield and weapon.” Carlyle’s contemporary, George MacDonald, rendered stanza one, verse one, in this way: “Our God he is a castle strong, a good mailcoat and weapon.”

[3] https://dancingwiththeword.com/being-still-letting-go/

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my regular blog for 2020: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and my other blog,  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!