Places of the Heart- Tuesday, December 10th

CAPERNAUM

Capernaum is a fishing village on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee. Today it is our Place of the Heart because Jesus healed many people there, showing his loving compassion, help and care for others.

Light the Prophecy and Bethlehem Candles.

Mark 1:21, 29-34, 2:1-5, 11-12 (NRSV)

They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught… As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven…”

“I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.” And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

In just these few excerpts from Mark, Chapters 1 and 2, we begin to see how often Jesus helped and healed others. Jesus loves us and longs to heal all of us, too. In this healing Place of the Heart we see how much Jesus cares and is willing to take the time to help. We only need to place ourselves in his presence or lift others to him in prayer.

Jesus’ desire to heal us is a difficult one to understand, isn’t it? Why do some people suffer or die, regardless of their faith or number of prayers? I don’t have the answers. What I do know is that Jesus longs to bless us; that Jesus always desires our good. What I do know is that in all circumstances Jesus heals our souls, and that type of healing is our most essential blessing.

The reality for all of us is that our bodies will become dust one day. Our souls are the only parts of us that are eternal. So even if our bodies or minds are no longer whole or healed, our spirits can continue to soar. Regardless of our physical infirmities or even death, our souls will be made perfect, beautiful and sound. Our healing may not be in the way we expect, but through the goodness of God, our healing will be more than we can even imagine.

Prayer: Healing and helping Jesus, you want us to joyfully and freely live as your followers, with souls that are healed and whole, sharing your love with the world. We come to you today in gratitude, and we place ourselves into your tender care. Amen.