Irony

Well, dear friend, I'm home sick for the second day in row. I'm not sure what the problem is, but I'm going to a doctor today. I sort of hate going to the doctor...like going to the mechanic, I'm always afraid they'll find something to fix that I wasn't expecting. However, it is clear that I need to see someone.

The irony (see the title) is that, for work this week, I'm supposed to be working on a healing service. I'm writing a new order for confession and forgiveness, a dialogue and a homily (short sermon) all around the theme of healing.

I am praying that all will go well at the doctor's, but right now that means, to me, that I will find out what the problem is and what can be done to solve it. Appreciating the gifts of doctors is part of my understanding of how God works in healing ways in our lives.

But there are many other kinds of healing: we can pray for and expect physical healing, but we also have wounded hearts, tired spirits, languishing anger, longings for forgiveness and the need to forgive. That's the main part of the healing service; it's not only about physical ailments, but also about the intercession of God's wholeness in our brokeness, in our broken world.