Watch the Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes Jr.’s Sermon on Psalm 23 and Luke 8: 40-55 as he explores seemingly minor details in the text that, upon further investigation, hold surprising spiritual power and significance.
[youtube: video=”9C8BROd6zs0&feature=youtu.be”]
Dear Rev. Phelps,
This is a tremendous and inspiring sermon from Rev. Forbes.
I am interested to know what you think, and propose to do, about Bashar al-Assad’s denial of food to his civilian enemies in Syria.
Here in Miami, the Missionaries of Charity, and many lay groups inspired by the their own hearts and the example of the sisters and their witness to Christ, provide all kinds of meals, hot and cold, to the hungry in the area on a daily basis. This most basic gospel command, if living under Assad, would be not only denied, but targeted for military attack.
Please share your thoughts and insights on this, and what you believe to be the best Christian response to the atrocious situation in Syria in particular.
Sincerely,
Timothy Villareal
We do indeed, as Rev Forbes reminds us, have responsibility to provide nurture to those in need. But Luke 8: 40-56 goes far beyond feeding the hungry. The narrative (which originates in Mark 5: 21-43) presents two stories of healing “sandwiched” together for a critical purpose.
First of all attention should be drawn to the number 12. The synagogue leader’s dying daughter was 12 years old. Then, the “sandwiched” story tells of the healing of a woman who has suffered from “hemorrhages” for 12 years. For all who know Hebrew history, the “12” clearly relates to the twelve tribes of Israel. The stories, thus relate to history and to corporate realities — a privileged establishment dying because it does not connect to the essential mandates of life.
The hemorrhaging woman, according to ancient law, is unclean and thus ostracized from society. She is the lowest of the low. But she cannot be healed until she takes initiative, which in the story she does. Her faith has made her well.
And it is only when the most oppressed have been healed, that the privileged can be saved. When the oppressed take on Wall Street in Occupy actions, when fast food workers demand a living
wage and when people in my own Southeast Chicago neighborhood strengthen their initiatives against the dumping of polluting pet coke –only then can the ruling class be healed.
Our spirit can return. Let us not be timid in our call for action.