. Transferred
Colossians 1:3-14
He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. v. 14
When I attended seminary, I spent my year of internship at Trinity Church in Owatonna, Minnesota. Part of my learning was to visit twice a week with anyone from our parish who was hospitalized. With little experience I needed some help. The supervising pastor suggested the verses above as especially helpful for hospitalized people to hear. He was, of course, right.
While the verses certainly lift up hope, patience and joy, I found the very active verbs “rescued” and “transferred” to speak directly to the situation. These words reminded the hospitalized person of what God had not only done in the past, but what God was also doing now.
Newer hospitals work hard to provide rooms that are bright and cheerful. Still, despite the large windows and soft lights and cheery colors, hospital days can seem dark indeed. How necessary it is to hear that God has already come to the rescue and overcome the power of darkness. God has transferred us to the realm where the power is God’s. Jesus, God’s Son, reveals that power in his life and in his own healing ministry. In the shadow of the cross and on the cross, Jesus also suffered. God knows our suffering and can promise the light of the resurrection to carry us through the suffering.
This promise brings hope, patience and even joy in the midst of suffering. We thank God in our suffering not for the suffering, but for God’s presence in and through that suffering. As we navigate through the Covid-19 experience, we can be assured of God’s presence and power goes with us. Reason enough for joy.
Pray: O God the giver of health and wholeness, we give thanks for medical institutions, for hospitals and clinics, for nursing homes and memory care units. May they continue to seek the best care for the sick and the aging. We also give thanks for hospital chaplains, for pastors and lay people who visit hospitals and nursing homes and bring your message of hope. Amen.
Fast: By limiting your “screen time” today.
Act: Phone or send a card to a shut-in from the congregation.
OR set aside $1 for the ELCA World Hunger medical projects.
...the least of these... 