His last request: Please take my body home.
In the all-too-brief miracle that was the Firefly TV show, a lot of excellence was crammed into just 14 episodes. All of its fans have their favorite episodes. So, in a sense, every episode was the best. One, though, appears on everyone’s short list: “The Message.”
In it, the crew of the spaceship Serenity are asked to transport a dead man home to his family and his final resting place. They had served with him in the war; and in their memories, he was still Private Tracey. The request comes as a message he recorded in preparation for his death. They agree once they hear the recorded voice repeat a saying they know from their military past: “When you can’t run, you crawl, and when you can’t crawl, you find someone to carry you.”
When I read this week’s scripture from Mark, I thought of that Firefly episode, especially that saying about running, crawling, and being carried. Jesus and team had been actively healing people and sharing the good news. They needed a break. Hoping to get away for a little down-time, the sailed out into the sea looking for a quieter place to go ashore. But when they dropped anchor, the crowds were already gathered, waiting.
As before, many ill people came to Jesus for healing. Those who couldn’t get there any other way were carried into His presence. I can’t help but believe the lyrics of The Hollies hit song “He Ain’t Heavy”—which seemed to be about carrying wounded soldiers to safety—would resonate with those who did the carrying. The needs of their friends and family members were so great, they begged that Jesus would allow them to touch just “the fringe of His cloak.” Apparently, they had all heard about the woman who was healed by touching the hem of His garment.
People had to wonder if that story was true. Perhaps just so much talk? Was that all that was needed to be healed, just to touch his garment? Did you first have to sit through a sermon? Did Jesus have to grab your head and shout? Was there a 12-step program to complete in advance? Perhaps a statement of faith to declare? A pre-interview?
No.
Scripture tells us: "All who touched it were healed." They just needed to get there, to do as Private Tracey reminded his former comrades-in-arms: “When you can’t run, you crawl, and when you can’t crawl, you find someone to carry you.”
How far would you travel to meet Jesus? What would you do to ensure you make that encounter? When it’s Jesus you’re going to see, you just need to get there—any way you can.
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PHOTO: Department of Defense
The real story about “He ain’t heavy. He’s my brother”:
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Join us Friday morning for an hour like no other. DaySpring’s Lectionary Breakfast meets at 8:00 on Zoom** and in person at Our Breakfast Place. We read, we pray, we laugh, and we discuss. Did I mention the laughter?
Get there any way you can.
Blessings,
Steve
**Zoom link (Zoom allows you to mute the camera and the microphone if you don’t wish to be seen or heard.):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89947678414
SCRIPTURES FOR SUNDAY AND THE COMING WEEK
Find them here:
https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts/?y=382&z=p&d=65
Print them here:
https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/Bx_Proper11.pdf
2 Samuel 7:1-14a
Psalm 89:20-37
Jeremiah 23:1-6
Psalm 23
Ephesians 2:11-22
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
Proper 11 (16) (July 21, 2024)
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