Sunday, October 25, 2015

Daily HOMILY for October 14, 2015: Commissioning Service


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Commissioning Service
The Institute
October 14, 2015
JESUS, BRUSQUE AND RUDE? +++++++++++++++++++
Ø  In story of 10 healed lepers & only 1 returning 2 give thanks, J seems brusque, rude
Ø  Did you ever wonder why?
Ø  The point of the story is to sting the ungrateful, not to praise the grateful
Ø  It’s for this reason J doesn’t address man directly, but speaks over his head 2 crowd listening in
Ø  In addition, Jesus calls attention to the man’s ethnicity; he’s a “foreigner,” a Samaritan
Ø  He does this 2 chastise those among the Jews who don’t show J gratitude & acceptance
Ø  & it serves to preview the mission to the Gentiles
What THE 9 Lepers got right ++++++++++++++++
Ø  The 9 lepers do come off as ungrateful boors and a word on their behalf is in order
Ø  (1) They knew whom to go to for healing
Ø  (2) As they approach J they call out “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us”
Ø  (3) They believed him when he said it was a done deal, even before evidence was before their eyes
Ø  (4) They all obey his command to go show themselves to the priest
Ø  (5) They are heading in direction he told them 2 head, so we can cut them some slack
IMPORTANCE OF GRATITUDE +++++++++++++++++++
Ø  In the 1 of 10 who returns we might ask, “What does gratitude contribute to R being made well in body, mind and soul?”
Ø  Why’s it so important that J would chastise those who didn’t value it?
Ø  Think of something you’re grateful for … and I’d like 2 suggest that gratitude does several things:
Ø  (1) Keeps you connected w/ giver of the gift
Ø  (2) Keeps you using the gift with the giver’s character & purpose
Ø  (3) Keeps you grounded in the value of the gift as you take it to new pursuits and places
CONCLUSION ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø  If the gifts of healing come from God, then an attitude of gratitude keeps us focused on the source of that new life
Ø  May it be that 4 Matt as we commission him
Ø  And for any who finds gratitude absent, may J’ words be a challenge and source of hope
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++