Sinners in Need of Healing, Matthew 9:9-13

Fr. Jeremiah Caughran Sinners in Need of Healing, Matthew 9.9-13

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When Jesus called Matthew to be his disciples, the Pharisees were upset that the was a great feast in the aftermath. All kinds of various sinners they didn’t care for were having a meal with Jesus. Jesus’ response is one we all know so well, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” All those at the feast knew they were sinners and Jesus’ presence is one that can begin their healing. We, too, as sinners need healing from Jesus outwardly and inwardly. May we have eyes to see that we are in great need and have no righteousness or health on our own.

Image: Christ Healing the Sick, anonymous icon, rights unknown. Image found here (see “about” tab for devotional )and here (about 2/3s of the way down).

Transforming Unbelief into Belief, Mark 9:14-29

Fr. Jeremiah Caughran Transforming Unbelief to Belief, Mark 9.14-29

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When Jesus comes down from the mountain after his transfiguration, he and the three disciples are confronted with a scene of chaos. The other disciples are arguing with the scribes about casting out a demon and healing a boy. The father of boy explains to Jesus what is happening and confesses his own unbelief mixed into his faith. What are we to make of such a story from the Bible? Is this a reminder to us that even small faith with unbelief can help us to grow in faith? Can that very unbelief be transformed?

Image: Jesus casting out demons, photo taken by Nick Thompson, mosiac located in Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna. License: CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 (No Changes made). Image location: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pelegrino/4670683038

The Mundane Creates Praise, Mark 7:31-37

When Jesus heals a deaf and mute man, he uses some ordinary things in the process. What does this mean about the ordinary and mundane? Are they important? Can Jesus work through simple things to bring forth praise? Father Jeremiah explores this in his sermon on Mark 7:31-37

Image: Young Mother Sewing, Mary Cassatt, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Rejected but not Hindered, Mark 6:1-6

Fr. Jeremiah Caughran Rejected but not Hindered, Mark 6.2-6

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When Jesus returns to his hometown, he finds a not very friendly welcome. What does this tell us about our response to rejection. What does it tell us about our own rejections of Jesus in our daily lives?

Image: Christ Healing a Leper, by Rembrandt van Rijn. Public Domain. Image location: https://picryl.com/media/christ-healing-a-leper-fdbefe

Chaos Inside Overcome by Jesus Outside, Mark 5:22-43

Fr. Jeremiah Caughran Chaos Inside Overcome by Jesus Outside, Mark 5.22-43

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When Jesus encounters the results of chaos from the inside of us, what does he do? Does he scoff or ignore it? Or does he act against it in order to bring to us inward and outward healing? Father Jeremiah looks at Mark 5 and a story with two healings dealing with chaos from the inside.

Image: The Raising of the Daughter of Jairus, Eduard Bendemann, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. Image location: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Raising_of_the_Daughter_of_Jairus_MET_DP803683.jpg