Healing: Not in part, but the whole.

# When God Intervenes in Our Darkness

Have you ever felt like you're stumbling through life, desperately searching for a glimmer of hope? Perhaps you're facing circumstances that seem impossibly dark, leaving you feeling helpless and alone. If so, you're not alone. The Bible tells us that even God's chosen people, Israel, experienced such profound darkness.

## The Darkness We Face

In the book of Isaiah, we find a stark description of Israel's plight: "We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows. Like the blind we grope along the wall, feeling our way like people without eyes. At midday we stumble as if it were twilight" (Isaiah 59:9-10). This imagery paints a vivid picture of despair and hopelessness.

But it's not just ancient Israel that faced such darkness. Today, countless people find themselves in seemingly hopeless situations. I often wonder, "What is it like to live in Gaza or Lebanon right now? What about the eastern perimeter of Ukraine or anywhere in Sudan?" Closer to home, I think about "that man or woman mourning the death of their spouse this morning, even after weeks and months and years since their passing." Or consider those living on the streets, facing extreme weather conditions. These are just a few examples of the darkness many people face daily.

## God's Response to Our Suffering

In the face of such overwhelming darkness, where can we find hope? The answer lies in God's character and His response to our suffering. Isaiah 59:15-16 tells us, "The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm achieved salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him."

This passage reveals a profound truth about our God. He doesn't stand idly by when He sees injustice and suffering. Instead, He intervenes personally. God identifies so closely with His people that their suffering becomes His own. "God is not far away and removed, disconnected, and unfeeling. No. God is wounded and is hurting too. He identifies with those who suffer injustice. So much so that he intervenes."

## Blind Bartimaeus: A Story of Faith and Healing

The story of Blind Bartimaeus in Mark 10:46-52 beautifully illustrates God's intervention in our darkness. Bartimaeus represents every one of us – blind not just physically, but spiritually. His blindness "was only a symptom of the underlying pathology... the deeper darkness that he found himself in."

When Jesus passed by, Bartimaeus refused to be silenced. He cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" (Mark 10:47). Despite attempts to quiet him, "he shouted all the louder, so convinced of his helplessness that he could not be shut up."

Jesus' response to Bartimaeus is the same response He gives to each of us: "What do you want me to do for you?" (Mark 10:51). It's a profound question that cuts to the heart of our needs and desires.

## What Do We Really Need?

Bartimaeus asked for his sight, and Jesus granted his request. But the story doesn't end there. After receiving his sight, we're told that Bartimaeus "followed Jesus along the road" (Mark 10:52). This road led to Jerusalem, to the cross, where Jesus would make the ultimate intervention on our behalf.

You see, Bartimaeus received more than just physical sight. By following Jesus, he gained spiritual sight as well. "Blind Bartimaeus needed physical sight in order to see Jesus enthroned on the cross, high and lifted up. He needed physical sight to see Jesus' parched lips, barely audible say, 'Forgive them, including Bartimaeus, for they know not what they do.'"

## Life Application: Embracing God's Intervention

So, what does this mean for us today? How can we respond to God's intervention in our lives?

1. Recognize Your Need: Like Bartimaeus, we must first acknowledge our spiritual blindness and our need for God's intervention.

2. Cry Out to Jesus: Don't let anything silence your plea for help. Keep calling out to Jesus, even when others try to quiet you.

3. Respond to His Call: When Jesus asks, "What do you want me to do for you?", be honest about your needs. But also be open to receiving more than you initially ask for.

4. Follow Jesus: True healing comes not just from receiving what we want, but from following Jesus, even when the road leads to difficult places.

5. Embrace the Cross: As we follow Jesus, we're called to "engage in a life of cruciform living, the life of discipleship that embraces the cross, trusting that the Holy Spirit will crucify that which is in us and needs to be dealt with."

Remember, God sees your darkness. He feels your pain. And He is ready to intervene. Will you, like Bartimaeus, receive His gift and follow Him along the road? "By the aid of the Holy Spirit, this is possible and therefore good news." Amen.

Let It Go

Fr. Noah begins this past Sunday's sermon by examining the story of the Rich Young Ruler from the Gospel of Mark. He draws attention to the young man's eagerness to learn about eternal life and Jesus' intriguing response to being called "good." Fr. Noah emphasizes that Jesus is more than just a good teacher; He is God Himself, a crucial point that the Rich Young Ruler fails to grasp fully.

The sermon then explores the insufficiency of mere moral living for salvation. While the Rich Young Ruler has kept the commandments and lived a morally upright life, Jesus reveals that he still lacks one thing: the willingness to sacrifice everything for God's purposes. Fr. Noah points out that we often focus on raising "good" children and being morally upright citizens, but Jesus calls us to a higher standard – a life completely transformed and given for God's purposes.

Fr. Noah addresses the powerful hold that wealth and other idols can have on people. He explains that money, though neutral in itself, can become an ultimate thing in our lives, preventing us from fully surrendering to God. Fr. Noah challenges the congregation to examine their own lives, asking if they have given the entirety of themselves to Jesus or if they, like the Rich Young Ruler, might walk away sad when confronted with Jesus' demand for complete surrender.

The sermon emphasizes the impossibility of salvation through human effort alone. Fr. Noah quotes Jesus' words, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God" (Mark 10:25). He explains that this applies not only to material wealth but to any sense of self-sufficiency that prevents us from recognizing our need for Jesus' saving work on the cross.

Fr. Noah shares a personal experience of encountering a homeless man at the church, using it to illustrate Jesus' compassion and love for all people. This anecdote serves as a powerful reminder of our own need for God's grace and the importance of seeing others through God's eyes.

The sermon concludes with a call to confession and surrender. Fr. Noah encourages the congregation to identify whatever they might be withholding from God and to offer it up in poverty of spirit. He reminds them that Jesus looks at each person with love, just as He looked at the Rich Young Ruler, and that with God's help, it is possible to let go of whatever we're holding onto that prevents us from fully following Christ.

Fr. Noah's final message is one of hope: through the power of the Holy Spirit, complete surrender to Jesus is possible, and this is indeed good news for all who hear and respond to the call of Christ.

Gather > Scatter

Deacon Eduardo's sermon is a profound reflection on the unifying power of the gospel and Jesus' role as the great gatherer. He begins by acknowledging the diverse congregation, united under one roof despite differences in culture, language, and circumstances. The deacon emphasizes that this unity is rooted in the "great truths" of salvation, quoting Psalm 8:4-5, "What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?"

The sermon then focuses on the Gospel story of Jesus welcoming children, found in Mark 10. Deacon Eduardo uses this passage to illustrate Christ's desire to gather all people to Himself, contrasting it with the disciples' attempt to scatter the children. He draws a parallel between this scene and the broader spiritual battle between Jesus as the gatherer and Satan as the scatterer.

Deacon Eduardo expands on this theme, pointing out how the scattering spirit is evident in modern society, particularly in politics and elections. He cites examples from Austria and the United States, where voters are increasingly divided into distinct groups, leading to a fractured society. The deacon warns that this division often results in neglect of the vulnerable, whom Jesus calls us to serve.

The sermon takes a personal turn as Deacon Eduardo shares how relationships within the church have helped him broaden his perspective beyond his own interests. He describes how gathering with diverse believers around the same table and sharing a common cup has expanded his heart to yearn for others' well-being.

Referencing the recent Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, Deacon Eduardo reminds the congregation of their victory in Christ over the scattering forces of sin. He declares, "We are on the winning side here in this room, gathered together on the winning side. No longer afraid, no longer scattered, no longer alone."

The deacon then highlights the church's role as a "beacon of hope" in a disintegrating society, citing recent celebrations of Mexican Independence Day as an example of unity in diversity. He also emphasizes the importance of the Nigerian church in supporting the American church during times of difficulty, calling for reciprocal support and prayer for Nigeria.

Deacon Eduardo concludes by urging the congregation to take seriously their role in gathering around Jesus' table regularly. He stresses the importance of presenting a unified vision to children, showing them different nations, cultures, and circumstances coming together as one people blessed with a common inheritance. The deacon's final exhortation is for each member to play their part in gathering people, especially children, into Christ's saving and loving embrace.

Throughout the sermon, Deacon Eduardo maintains a tone of urgency and hope, blending scriptural references with contemporary examples to illustrate the ongoing spiritual battle between gathering and scattering forces. His message emphasizes the power of unity in Christ to overcome worldly divisions and present a compelling vision of God's kingdom.