In this week's gospel, Jesus, without a word, takes her hand, and "lifts up" Dorcas, Peter's mother-in-law, who has been ill. Immediately she gets up, and without a demand or request, begins serving others. She understands Jesus, his mission, and call to discipleship when the crowds, his disciples, and yes, us, misunderstand what Jesus is about.
What is Jesus all about? What are we called to do, as a church, and as individuals, all beloved of God? See The Rev. Kate Huey's "Sustaining Ministry" reflection.
"Love not expressed, love not felt," P.C. Ennis writes, "is difficult to trust....God knew the human need for nearness. Jesus is the incarnation of God's love, which makes it all the more demanding (if frightening) to realize that for some people, we are the only Jesus they will ever meet" (Feasting on the Word Year B, Vol. 1). What if your church, and the people within it, are "the only Jesus" some people will ever meet? Would they recognize him?
Dan Clendenin asks "What does prayer have to do with it?" in his "The True End of Prayer: What I Pray and Why."
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