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Written by Kathy Platt
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Friday, 04 June 2010 17:02 |
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This Sunday one of the scripture readings is from the book of 1st Kings. The prophet Elijah is in a foreign land, and he sees a widow gathering sticks to build a fire. She tells him that she is going to make a meal for she and her son, but that it will be their last meal before they die because after that all their food will be gone. Elijah asks her to share her food, which she does - amazing that the gift of hospitality is so deeply ingrained in her that she doesn't even hesitate to share the little that she has. Elijah then said: 'God will make sure that you have enough flour and oil to last you - you will not go hungry again'. She then says: 'why have you done this good deed when it is clear that my son is too ill to live any longer?' Elijah then goes to her son, prays that God will restore life to this child, and the child begins to live and breathe again. If we get stuck in a literal reading of this story, we will be missing the point. I don't think it helps if we try to prove what is literally possible or impossible. One of the theologians I was reading talked about a story of little girl who was ill, and who was incredibly bullied by her classmates. Her mother moved this little girl to another school, but the bullying continued. A couple of girls heard about her, and began a campaign to get letters of support sent to this little girl - she received many, many letters sending her courage and strength and support. For her, it was clearly an experience of new life - of new beginnings - perhaps it could be said, it was an experience of being brought back to life. There are so many things that can lead a person into "death" - bullying, addictions, mental health issues, loss of job, betrayal, grief - and it is often the loving care of community that can lead a person back into life. May we find the courage and the compassion to speak the words that affirm life and that restore hope - especially in the face of those experiences that speak more of death than of life.
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Located in Regina, SK.
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