19 Pentecost/Year B Sermon/September 29, 2024 - Rev Julie Platson
Numbers 11:4-6,10-16,24-29; Psalm 19:7-14; James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50
Opening Prayer: (Psalm 19:14)
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, *O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Amen
We come to the last Sunday of a 5-week series of readings from the book of James. The reading began with these words:
Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.
Today’s reading from James may be familiar to some of you who have participated in special healing prayer services in the church, or you may have heard a portion of the scripture when a church member or clergy member made a visit in your home, or hospital to pray for healing with you and anoint you with holy oil. We have a short liturgy called “Ministration to the Sick” in our prayer book on pg 453 that is often used in those personal home or hospital settings. And I encourage you, if you are desiring some special healing prayers for your body, mind or spirit, or needing some pastoral support, to contact me, Deacon Kathryn or Deacon Glenda, so we can arrange for a home visit. And periodically here, at the conclusion of the service, we have some lay leaders or clergy who can pray with you and anoint you with holy oil. Today will be one of those days…so at the conclusion of the service, you can meet at the baptismal font for healing prayer and anointing.
Pray for one another, so that you may be healed.
Those words from James are on my mind this week.
Pray for one another, so that you may be healed.
The community of Sitka has been faced with some real heartache these past couple of weeks. We heard the news of the serious car accident that involved four young people here, one who has died. I’m amazed by all the people throughout the community who have been praying for these young people, their families, the search and rescue teams, and how the prayers have been so appreciated and comforting for them. Pray for one another, so that you may be healed.
We received the news of the sudden passing of Tuffy Robards, who was baptized, confirmed and served as an acolyte here in his younger years, and was known to many in the community through his work at Stereo North. I’m amazed by the outpouring of prayers from across the entire community for Tuffy, his family, his medical team…and I know these prayers, in all their different forms, have been bringing comfort and support to his family and closest friends.
Pray for one another, so that you may be healed.
We’ve all surely heard the national news about the devastating destruction, floods, loss of lives, that impacted several southeast states when Hurricane Helene made landfall just a few days ago.
Pray for one another, so that you may be healed.
For all of these tragedies and losses…we are called to persevere in our prayers…for healing isn’t just a one-time incident. There are so many multiple aspects of healing needed. And for anyone who has experienced their own personal losses, they know too well…how long of journey it is to reach a point when you sense that healing is just beginning to mend the most difficult parts of your fractured body, mind and spirit.
Pray for one another, so that you may be healed.
Healing isn’t just for the person or persons we are praying for. We as the ones praying, are also in the process of healing, throughout our lives. And prayer, can be one of the most important foundational tenants of our faith, that reassures us that we are not alone, and we were not created to live apart from one another. So sometimes, our prayers are confessing our sins for the ways we have contributed to be being stumbling blocks for the healing of all God’s people and all of creation.
We were created to live in unity with one another, grounded in the love of God’s presence, made known to us in Jesus.
That’s where the hope of healing begins and continues…
When we are concerned about one another, when we are truly curious about one another, and listen to one another’s needs, when we learn to confess our sins to one another and forgive one another, when we strive to love one another, as we have been so loved…when we allow the prayer of our faith to lead us to faithful and loving actions that heal all of us…
Pray for one another, so that you and all of us may be healed by the thread of love that unites us to one another, in this life, and in the life to come.
BLESSING: For Health of Body and Soul – BCP 460
May God the Father bless you, God the Son heal you, God the Holy Spirit give you strength. May God the holy and undivided Trinity guard your body, save your soul, and bring you safely to his heavenly country; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Closing Prayer/Hymn: (R) 292 – Bind us together
Bind us together, Lord, bind us together with cords that cannot be broken.
Bind us together, Lord, bind us together, bind us together in love.
There is only one God, there is only one King;
there is only one body, that is why sing:
Bind us together, Lord, bind us together with cords that cannot be broken.
Bind us together, Lord, bind us together, bind us together in love.
Rev. Julie Platson, Rector
St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church
Sitka, AK