We are living in difficult and fearful times. We are faced with a slumping economy, increasing unemployment, the tragedy of the loss of the crew on the space shuttle, Columbia, so close to being safely home. At the same time, as a nation we are moving closer to a war that will cost billions of dollars, immeasurable resources and human life. And as terrorism threats are said to be rising, it’s questionable whether such a war will make us more vulnerable or less. We also have before us an illusory domestic agenda where messages of compassion are spoken but do not become policy, and where the poor in particular become more disenfranchised.

This is on top of our busy and demanding lives. And within our own church family we are dealing with illness and loss and several who themselves or their loved ones are in treatment for cancer. Still others are becoming more ill or disabled, and there are some who may soon be put in harm’s way in the Middle East.

How do we live in such times as these, finding hope and healing, courage and renewal? How can we move into the future with confidence and faith in God’s love and in the power of love itself?

For several weeks now we are reading in our scriptures the opening accounts of Mark’s gospel. What we find is a frenzy of activity on Jesus’ part: coming from Nazareth, being baptized, calling his disciples, teaching in the synagogue and healing. And in today’s scripture even as Jesus enters the home of Simon and Andrew for some respite, he’s called upon to heal Simon’s mother-in-law, which he does. Incidentally, did you notice Mark’s account saying, "Then the fever left her and she began to serve them (them being the men). Well, of course, that was the role of women!

Then at sundown the crowds began to come bringing the sick and the possessed to be healed. The scripture says, "The whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many."

Then finally, early in the next morning, while it was still dark, the only time he could get some peace, Jesus gets up and goes out to a deserted place to pray. He needed this time for himself before continuing the journey. But it wasn’t long before his disciples came hunting for him saying, "Everyone is searching for you." And then they went onto the neighboring towns throughout Galilee.

Notice that Jesus himself needed time for prayer and reflection in order to find new strength and energy to continue this ministry of love and service. And Simon’s mother-in-law needed to experience healing before she could go on with her own service.

It’s important that we find healing and restoration in the midst of our own busy lives and these troubling times, making it possible for us to find new strength and energy for our own journeys of love and service. How do you make time apart for yourself, for prayer or meditation, reflection and renewal? Where do you find healing in times of sorrow and loss, and comfort in these uncertain and frightening times? What helps you come to feel held in the love of God?

Each week at our staff meetings we begin with a time of checking in and sharing what is going on in our lives and the ways we are engaging in self-care. I find myself always wishing for more time for reading and reflection, meditation, walking and napping. And I have to confess that for my birthday last October my son and his wife gave me a gift certificate for a therapeutic massage. As yet I haven’t made the time for this. And it expires in May! But, I also do find healing and restoration in my relationships with Meg and family and friends, and in this special community of the church.

Now I have to tell you that I’ve never before been part of a church where so much is going on: so many meetings, groups and events. It’s really quite impressive. But, it can also become a frenzy of activity that bogs us down personally and diverts us from that which heals and renews. And yet, somehow God has drawn you and me into this special place, into this loving community where it’s possible for us to experience healing and find our lives transformed and restored through the love and care of others. Through our worship and life together, and the many small groups available for study and meditation, socializing and sharing it’s possible for us to be nourished and refreshed. There are a variety of opportunities here in which we can stop and reflect, stir our minds and share our stories and open new windows to the soul.

Just yesterday nearly 50 women took part here in a retreat for fellowship and self-care. In another group each Sunday morning as many as 30 adults gather for open and lively discussion and personal sharing in response to the writings of biblical scholars and spiritual writers. One who attends this class is not a member here, but he expressed in a letter his gratitude to our church for the welcome he has received and for the opportunity to participate in such a class, which he says does not seem possible at his church of 25 years.

We take seriously the conviction that revelation and our growth in the faith are ongoing. So this too is part of our healing ministry as we are able to look more deeply into things and enlarge our hearts and minds and recognize the sacredness of things. How fitting this is in this season of Epiphany, of revelation, of light in the darkness symbolized by the star.

Speaking of Epiphany, light and star, I’d like to share with you the epiphany of Willy McCool, pilot of the space shuttle, Columbia prior to re-entry:

 “Greetings from 150 miles above the Earth… As I write, we just experienced a sunset over the Pacific, just East of Chile.  I’m sitting on the flight deck in the CDR seat (front right) with a view of the Earth moving gracefully by.  Sunsets and sunrises from space come every 45 minutes, and last only about 30 seconds, but the colors are stunning.  In a single view I see looking out at the edge of the Earth – red at the horizon line, blending to orange, then yellow; followed by a thin white line, then light blue, gradually turning to dark blue, then various gradually darker shades of gray, then black with a million stars above.  It’ breath-taking!”

 In the midst of our busy lives, our concerns and world-weariness, we do not have to bear our burdens alone. We all need companions on the way, because we’re made for loving and being loved. We need to be with one another in our joys and our sorrows, to help us find hope and meaning and purpose in the face of things, and to work together for the common good. Recapturing the deeper joys of friendship, family and community is nothing less than the experience of being held in God’s love. Sustained in that love we can find the faith and courage to go on. And just as in presence and teaching of Jesus, and the love he revealed, people felt the presence of God, it’s through the work of love that we make God tangible and present. It’s God’s Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us, and becoming flesh in us.

This is because love is transforming. It works wonders in unexpected ways. That’s the miracle of healing. So, may this continue to be a place of transformation and miracle; a place of wisdom and caring; where we reach out and share the good news in new and vital ways. May this be a place where healing occurs and hope is renewed, where we receive the communions of the Spirit and are freed to live more fully, and where we are empowered anew to serve.