NEW GLASGOW, N.S. — By Rev Donna Tourneur
In part, the Gospel continues to be relevant because the stories identify the core struggles of humanity. Whether the disciples are discussing who’s the greatest, seeing where healing needs to happen, learning to trust that they are not alone, admitting their desire for comfort when there is work to be done, or coming to terms with a time-limited life, the very human issues are those we can identify with.
In each of the stories, there always seems to be a vulnerability. After all this time, people continue to gather, distilling the gospel lesson for their lives. It is always there, sometimes hidden in the simple act of creating community.
Our first experience of community is in family. Depending on the circumstance, it will either prepare us for involvement in other kinds of community or something we may never fully recover from. It's not hard to isolate examples of both. But because of our humanity, most of our lives will be woven into the lives of others in work and recreation, in organizations and structures to support life, notwithstanding our relationships in church.
Community works best when we are able to depend on each other in times of need or distress. That is where the strength lies, however, most can cite examples of the opposite. We are so human, wanting respect and acknowledgement and comfort and stuff. We are quick to call out the one who doesn’t follow the rules and to cry “justice” when we think we’ve been wronged. How often I have noticed that the ones who got the least, needed the most (of everything).
With an attitude of scarcity in Christian denominations, it is easy to lose focus more on survival; put our energy into scrounging for enough money to pay the bills for the things we think we need. In those times, we can lose sight of what is most important and what ought to define us. Our sense that we belong together, the weak and the strong, the rich and the poor, the old and the young. We have things to learn from each other, gifts to give and receive.
This week, the gospel lesson offers a window into another time. An argument arises about what it means to keep the Sabbath. Arguing over interpretation of the law is nothing unusual, then or now, but what is overlooked is the presence of the “bent over woman.” What imprisons her is anyone’s guess, and not really the point. We could make a long list of possibilities because she could be any one of us. Yet Jesus notices her need, reaches out to her and she is healed. For me the argument is settled. Her vulnerability helps us interpret how we ought to be in community. A faith for today would do well to remember that it is not supposed to be about buildings, or habits, or status. It is about all of us. Focussing on the Christ means supporting those most deeply vulnerable. We all have our time in that role and it is then that we might be the teachers.
Rev Donna Tourneur ministers among the people of New Glasgow at Trinity United Church.