Love and Faith Matter
AM Psalm 101, 109:1-4(5-19)20-30 • PM Psalm 119:121-144
Ezek. 11:14-25 • Heb. 7:1-17 • Luke 10:17-24
To be one of the seventy whom Jesus sent out ahead of him—a risky assignment—“See I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves.” With lots of specific instructions, including: “cure the sick who are there and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’” Into the midst of wolves, with the power to heal. Sounds like a mixed blessing. Who were the seventy, and how were they chosen? What matters is they obeyed him.
Today’s passage is about the return of the seventy. They returned in joy to tell Jesus all they had done, probably very elated and hoping for high fives and hugs from Jesus. I imagine that they were confused by his response: “Do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Huh? What about all that great stuff I did?
My paraphrase of what Jesus said is, “Do not rejoice in the miracles and healings, but that you acted with love in the name of God.” It’s the love and the faith that matter. Then Jesus prayed in thanksgiving, acknowledging that you don’t have to be wise and intelligent to heal; in fact it’s better to be open, like an infant (“beginners mind” according to Buddhists). Later he presented a similar idea to the disciples (who had earlier been sent out, much like the seventy): “many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it...”
Worldly power and wisdom are not requirements for being a healer. Openness, faith, and love—as shown by the disciples and the seventy—are what’s needed. I remember things I learned when I studied healing touch: “Get yourself (meaning ego) out of the way. Work with intention and love. Let go of the outcome.” As it was nearly 2000 years ago and still is today: it’s the love and the faith that matter.
Written by Cathy Campbell
Cathy is a parishioner who wants to sing in the choir, who now does Healing Touch at a distance, and who is waiting for Life to show her the truth about this present time.