Mark 1: 29-34

“Jesus left the synagogue at Capernaum, and 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 sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city 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.”

This Sunday, we hear about the second miracle healing in Mark’s Gospel. Clearly, one of the messages that Jesus brings to all is God’s unconditional love, faithfulness, compassion, and desire that all may be made well and whole. Those who were ill or who were possessed by demons were frequently shunned by society: they were set apart. Restoring them to health and wholeness restored them to community, necessary for one’s well-being. We also note the appropriate response of the one healed. When Simon’s mother-in-law’s fever left, she began to serve or minister to them. This was not because she was well and had to get back to “women’s work,” rather, because she had been healed, in gratitude she reached out to others in sharing God’s healing love.

Our mariners are set apart from their families and communities as they travel the globe ensuring the continuance of world commerce, so essential for our present way of life. As they go from port to port, they are strangers in foreign lands, and even when they go home, they still remain somewhat of a stranger. In the time they have been at sea, family dynamics have changed. Perhaps a new child has been born, perhaps the children are older and are presenting more challenging behaviors, and perhaps someone has become seriously ill or has died. For many and various reasons, things are just never the same as when they last left. By the time they have all re-adjusted, it is time to go to sea once again.

So, we connect with God in prayer for strength, guidance, healing and restoration with our families and those others we leave behind.

A Litany for Healing

Officiant Let us name before God those for whom we offer our prayer: (silently or aloud) God the Father, your will for all people is health and salvation;

People We praise you and thank you, O Lord.

Officiant God the Son, you came that we might have life, and might have it more abundantly;

People We praise you and thank you, O Lord.

Officiant God the Holy Spirit, you make our bodies the temple of your presence;

People We praise you and thank you, O Lord.

Officiant Holy Trinity, one God, in you we live and move and have our being;

People We praise you and thank you, O Lord.

Officiant Lord, grant your healing grace to all who are sick, injured, or disabled, that they may be made whole;

People Hear us, O Lord of life.

Officiant Grant to all who seek your guidance, and to all who are lonely, anxious, or despondent, a knowledge of your will and an awareness of your presence;

People Hear us, O Lord of life.

Officiant Mend broken relationships, and restore those in emotional distress to soundness of mind and serenity of spirit.

People Hear us, O Lord of life.

Officiant Bless physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the suffering, granting them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience;

People Hear us, O Lord of life.

Officiant Grant to the dying peace and a holy death, and uphold by the grace and consolation of your Holy Spirit those who are bereaved.

People Hear us, O Lord of life.

Officiant Restore to wholeness whatever is broken by human sin, in our lives, in our nation, and in our world;

People Hear us, O Lord of life.

Officiant You are the Lord who does wonders. You have declared your power among the peoples. With you, O Lord is the well of life, and in your light we see light.

People Hear us, O Lord of life. Heal us and make us whole.

Officiant Let us pray: Lord our God, accept the fervent prayers of your people; in the multitude of your mercies, look with compassion upon us and all who turn to you for help; for you are gracious, lover of souls, and to you we give glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

Matthew 11: 28-30 “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Last May, my husband and I had the privelage of spending twelve days on a South Carolina beach. We brought our eighteen-month old Siberian Husky with us who gleefully discovered that he loved the beach. What gave us most pleasure, however, was the day he sighted not one, but two other Siberian Huskies coming down the sand. There was electricity in the air as they came closer and closer. The dogs began making whimpering sounds as they acknowledged they were of the same kin. Strangers, yet known.

When they came face to face they could not contain themselves any longer. They frantically greeted each other by jumping up on their hind legs and holding each other with their front paws, as they hopped together in unison. Each dog greeted the other in the same manner over and over again. Each carried and held the other as they once again found that “huskie bliss.”

I am reminded of Jesus inviting us into his rest, for the yoke he offers is easy and his burden is light. When the cares of our lives seem to overwhelm and drown us, in dangers at sea, in temptations on shore, in loneliness and boredom, in anxiety about loved ones at home and about financial matters, when things seem at their worst, there is hope.

The Lord is near. God is present with out-stretched arms, to be yoked with each one of us, to help carry the load. And we are not strangers, we are known. As God enfolds us into divine care, so we in turn can enfold our sisters and brothers in that love. Thanks be to God!