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SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY – 12 February 2006 ST PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH, ABQ NM – The Rev. P. L. Holman 2 Kings 5:1-14; Psalm 30; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Mark 1:40-45 The miracle we pray for Now here’s a story we don’t know well, yet one we know quite well. Rather than leap to make the OT story of Naaman an allegory for elements of our NT faith, let’s just sit with this one, to see what it has to show us. Naaman is a mighty warrior – a high-ranking member of Israel’s enemy the Aramites, chief commander of his king’s army, the army that brought down King Ahab with a single arrow. When that conflict ends he has status, spoils of war including a young girl captive from the land of Israel. He is mighty, and mighty burdened. He also has leprosy, some sort of skin dis-ease the defeat of which is no small matter. This problem is at the very least tarnishing his image. Defeat of the disease – or hope for it – comes from an unexpected source. Not from military or even political power, it comes from the slave girl. She tells her mistress who tells her husband who tells his king who writes a letter of introduction to his Hebrew enemy: “Please, cure my servant Naaman.” What an unlikely turn of events… So unlikely that the Hebrew king is naturally suspicious: Does he think I’m God? (Read: this is something only the power of God can cure). Enter the prophet Elisha: Send him to me. What unfolds is more point/counterpoint about protocol and honor and power, but eventually Naaman follows the prophet’s instructions – at the “just do it” urging of his own servants – and he is made clean. Listen to the wonderfully “upside down” nature of this story that has lived for centuries upon centuries: servants guide their masters, enemy kings do the bidding of one another, Elisha the prophet shows courage born of faith in God, hands filled with worldly riches are shown to be empty, and the pride of military might is overcome by warrior’s desire to be made whole. The “chutzpah” of the weak transforms the “power” of the strong. Not only is Naaman cured, he turns to worship the God of Israel, taking home a bit of land from Israel (later verses tell us), taking home two mule loads of local soil so he can stand on the land of Israel and give thanks to the God of Israel whose power made him clean. Release from dis-ease comes with letting go – letting go of things (what happened to all those possessions Naaman brought with him?), in the letting go of pride, in the letting go of anger. Release and healing come in the turning, the listening, the following, and the thanksgiving. By any measure that’s amazing. By God’s pleasure, it’s gift. By any measure this healing is amazing. By God’s pleasure, it’s gift. Jesus, son of the Hebrew tradition, knows this story too. Can it be far from his mind when the leper approaches Jesus: “If you choose, you can make me clean.” The leper must know it too – respect for such power doesn’t come out of nowhere. Stories have carried respect for God’s miraculous power forward from ancient times. “You can cure me, Jesus of Nazareth, for you too know the God who lifts dis-ease. You too have this chutzpah.” People of faith, washed in the name of Jesus, you know this story too. You too have this chutzpah, this world changing power. The God who desired you from before the beginning of time, who restores you from the depths of despair and turns your sadness into joy, who welcomes you in baptismal waters and caresses you with grace of forgiveness, this God has the power to lift the dis-ease that keeps anyone from being a full participant in life. Dis-ease that blocks your righteous anger at the plight of the outcast… Dis-ease that stifles your compassion for the marginalized… Dis-ease that hardens your vocal chords so those who are voiceless remain unheard… Dis-ease that so burdens your own heart it can beat neither well for you nor freely for the sake of others. People of God, you know this story too. You have the servant’s chutzpah and you use it for Jesus’ sake when you lift your voice for children, when you open your heart to those suffering any sort of hunger, when you reach out past walls of fear extending your hand shining your light for those whose world has grown dark. Today marks the first anniversary of the death of Kenneth Daniel Martinez. Ken was a member of St. Paul along with his wife Jesse. Together they brought both of their children to the waters of baptism, making promises to raise them in the tradition of faith they grew to appreciate more deeply with each passing year. The cancer that took Ken’s life after only 36 years and 5 months on this earth was rare and powerful and devastating. It defeated his life; it could not conquer his faith. Two days ago Jesse gave me a letter of thanks to share with this community of faith that helped them through the final months of that trial – the community that continues to support them even now. I have her permission to share it with you today. I offer it as a beautiful illustration of God’s Word for today, the word of healing and wholeness that Jesus offers each of us. If you did not know Ken, please overhear this letter as affirmation for any effort you have made that defied reason and helped shine the light of hope for someone, any show of servant chutzpah for the sake of God’s healing. To Our Family in Christ: Ken would very much have liked to be a part of this note to you. We had been preparing a similar note while in Boston that last trip when he was so suddenly called home [to God]. I can’t express to you the overwhelming feeling of love, support, and encouragement Ken and I would both feel every time a card or note of thoughtfulness arrived in our mailbox. We could open a card or note and actually “feel” the prayer for us. Literally experiencing the “Living God.” Thank you to every one who so lovingly supported the donation account for Ken’s travel and medical expenses. You embarked on the journey with us thinking as we did that Ken would get a couple more years of life. Ken’s time was far too short. Even his specialist in Boston was surprised at his passing. It is because of your support through prayer and his donation account that Ken lived as long as he did. Had Ken stayed in Albuquerque for treatment, he probably would not have survived until Christmas. Because of the efforts of so many, so many even unknown to us, Ken, [the kids and I] enjoyed a very special last Christmas together. Ken was also able to enjoy his son’s 3rd birthday with us in late January before that last trip to Boston. [It is a] day Will remembers himself and talks of frequently. Even our trips to Boston, though they took us far from our children and Ken was usually in so much pain while traveling, the trips to Boston gave Ken and me the gift of being alone for a few days, just the two of us. [These are all] memories we will always hold close to our hearts. Thank you for those gifts. Pastor would come and visit us quite frequently. Always with loving kindness and uplifting words she would convey your support and prayers to us. Often, after Pastor would leave, Ken and I would have tears of gratitude streaming down our faces. Gratitude for the many blessings God revealed to us, and the peace he instilled in our hearts. Gratitude for you, dear friends, for your thoughtfulness and support. Even through the upheaval and turmoil of life with Ken’s illness, we had a constant, overwhelming feeling of love and support the Lord provides when you need it most. I know that sometimes people in our situation, especially with Ken’s facing an aggressive incurable cancer, have a difficult time embracing the Lord and their life and staying connected with even their loved ones. It was the opposite for us. We prayed for strength, courage, understanding and healing. We received all in abundance, in more ways than we would have ever thought possible. We felt powerless over Ken’s debilitating cancer. The more powerless we became over Ken’s physical state, the more empowered we, especially Ken, became spiritually. As his tumor ate away at his body, you helped to fill his soul with the power of the Holy Spirit. I assure everyone that he was full and content and at peace with his Lord and ready to go home. You helped our family so very much. You made a difference in Ken getting the care he needed, you got him to a doctor that give him hope, and the best quality of care I have ever witnessed. You put Christmas presents under our tree, fed our family, and helped pay our bills for almost a year. I myself will never forget your kindness and compassion, please know that it will always be in my heart. Thank you so much for being a part of the miracle we prayed for. With love in Christ, Jesse, Nora, and William Martinez Turning to one another … Trusting God … Turning to those in need … Praying for a miracle … The thanks belong to God. |