Psalms: 87, 90 * 136; Numbers 11:16-17,24-29; Ephesians 2:11-22; Matthew 7:28-8:4It is a beautiful morning here in DC. The sun is rising, the sky is that soft, light blue, there is a cool and light wind from the west blowing over the Potomac and the birds are singing mightily. Walking Allie along the waterfront I was thinking about the leper and Jesus' encounter and wondering about choice.
God gifted us free will. Many times in life we may feel like we do not have a choice, but we do. We may do something and use the "I didn't have a choice" excuse to try and cover for a bad choice. Making mistakes is human. Owning up to them is being adult. Blaming God for the predicaments we are in is a choice, but not a good one.
Jesus did choose to heal the leper today, after the leper chose to approach Jesus and ask for his merciful healing. Perhaps it was a choice made out of desperation by this leper. Perhaps it was a brave and daring choice for someone deemed "unclean" and "cast-out" to approach an individual of such apparent authority as Jesus and ask for help.
For what can we choose to ask God? What deep healing do we require that only that unexplainable love of God can touch, heal and make new? The choice is ours to make.
jfd+
Copyright 2010, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.
Beautiful again! Every day your reflections touch me in some way. They always make me think and I find myself often re-reading older posts to ponder again the thoughts contained.
ReplyDeleteThanks Katie. I appreciate the support and comments.
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