Evening Devotions for Wednesday, March 18

A reading from Mark, chapter 2:

“When [Jesus] returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home.  ² 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.  ³ Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them.  ⁴ 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.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

I’ve learned more about communication technology in the last three days than I have in the last ten years. I’d never used Facebook live or moderated a videoconference. Now, I have.

And it’s brought me incredible joy to be connected with you in these ways, even though we must be absent from each other for a time. We are still going to have worship, bible studies, committee meetings, children’s activities—all because of technology.

But there’s a problem: not everyone is tech savvy. Not everyone has a high-speed internet connection at home. Not everyone uses Facebook or Zoom. Not everyone has a computer or a SmartPhone. Yet those persons still long for connectedness. Those persons still want and need to experience church. And we need them to be whole and well as the Body of Christ.

I’m reminded of the time Jesus was preaching at his home, and so many people were gathered around him, that there wasn’t room for everyone.

Four persons from town were carrying a man with paralysis on a mat. And because they couldn’t get him close to Jesus, they dug a hole through the roof of Jesus house—and lowered him down.

That’s what we must do for the persons who lack the resources and the knowledge to experience connection electronically: we must be creative and persistent in connecting with them. And this isn’t exclusive to church members; this includes neighbors, relatives, and friends who aren’t part of this church or any church.

The best way to start is with a phone call. My hope is that every person in our church who isn’t able to connect to these online resources will be contacted at least once a week by someone from this church; just to say hello and make sure they are well. You may very well be a lifeline for someone who can’t risk going out in public or who has nothing but the television to keep them company (and TV is lousy company, if  you ask me).

Think about the people living in nursing homes who can’t be visited by their friends and family. We are going to have names of nursing home residents so that you can send cards and encouragements.

If not you, then who?

I know many of you are still scrambling to adjust to this new reality, and you haven’t had a moment’s rest. Your busy looking after your loved ones; helping your kids get through their schoolwork packets. Many of you were already facing health concerns before Covid-19, and now you don’t know if you’re even going to be able to go to your appointments.

Jesus is in the chaos, the uncertainty, and the worry. But he will not keep you in a place of panic. He wants to be in the hope. And the best way to live as people of hope in these times is to do whatever good you can do, safely, to care for each other. Together, we will magnify the presence of Christ to one other.

Our Good Shepherd allows not even one of his sheep to be lost, forgotten, and left behind. Let us make sure no one is deprived of love, prayers, personal connections, or daily bread.

Let us pray.

Almighty and most merciful God, we call to mind before you all whom it is easy to forget: those who are homeless, destitute, sick, isolated, and all who have no one to care for them. May we bring help and healing to those who are broken in body or spirit, that they may have comfort in sorrow, company in loneliness, and a place of safety and warmth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 79)

And for ourselves and the world, let us pray:

Be our light in the darkness, O God, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Almighty and merciful God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless, preserve, and keep us, this night and forever more. Amen.