Living in the Spirit
July 19, 2015
Scripture Reading: Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the market-places, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed. –Mark 6:53-56
Care for the sick and heal the sick are themes that weave through Jesus’ entire ministry. Yet we in the United States, who some claim to be a Christian nation, have failed the sick. In a country that values wealth so highly, we have forgotten or perhaps never understood that our people are our most valuable resource. The same could be said for education and criminal justice.
If our actions do not result in an immediate profit for someone, they are not worth the investment. So we have drug testing facilities opting and charging for a $500 screen when a $15 one would do. Twenty years ago, I was in an HMO that notified me they were no longer going to pay for the prescription I had been taking for years, but they would pay for a similar one for the same condition. I thought it was a cost saving matter and switched only to find out when I picked up the drug, it cost more than the one I had been taking. I wondered who got the kick back and I switched insurances.
Greed is epidemic in our land and will be our downfall, if we as the prophets say do not repent and turn around. What is right, what is just must be the first consideration.
Prayer: God of All, heal our souls of the greed to which we are addicted. Make us whole enabling love and justice can be our driving forces. Amen.