Hope lies at the core of all human initiative. It looks to the coming of the new, the never-before-thought-of, the unheard of, the undreamed of. Hope is a pregnant, many layered concept... The more difficult the circumstances in which we demonstrate hope, the deeper is the hope... Hope is the retrieval of possibilities that comes as gift. It allows something to come into life that is not self generated.
This arresting quote from an article by Michael Downey in the December '99 issue of Weavings has been with me through this year as we have pondered together the Challenge of Hope using Mark's Gospel. The stories we are working with here seem to illustrate these words..
Read Mark 5:21-43
There is no "Advent" or "Christmas" story in Mark's gospel. Yet with economy of words and careful craftsmanship, Mark has depicted Emmanuel --- God with us --- in a variety of ways. The "last will be first" and "the least will be greatest" are modeled here. (see Luke l:50-53) A woman, a social outcast, the issue of blood making her impure, financially ruined and barren, dares to hope! When questioned, she tells it "like it is", perhaps including her opinion of the purity laws and the medical system! Jesus commends her faith and she is made well! The wealthy powerful father of a young girl also dares to hope and comes to Jesus. The child is healed. What courage these actions took. What faith! Jesus demonstrates caring, inclusiveness and great tenderness as he turns the religious world up-side down and reveals God's power and love!
Read the story again, focusing on the women and the father. Then read it as an eyewitness. Now look at Jesus and hear his words addressed to you.
- What catches your attention?
- What words seem targeted to your own situation?
- What are you reaching for? What in your life needs healing?
Be Not Afraid
Jesus says, "Don't be afraid." These words echo the familiar Christmas stories in the other gospels.
- Does fear diminish hope?
- In the presence of God's glory is fear our first response?
- Can we listen for the words, "fear not" and then begin the challenge to hope again?
But what about the people who are not healed? The are not mentioned in the gospel record. Where do they find hope, the courage to continue and hear the words "fear not"? This is where we, the caring community, come in. It is so important to gather in community for it is here we see those people of faith and courage who have survived the unthinkable. People who remind us by their very lives --- to fear not!, have faith! --- God's grace will be sufficient! --- God is with us! As we hear their stories and tell our own, faith hope and love emerge and we are transformed into new life. This is the place where we learn to give and receive caring.
Communities of Caring
Identify some communities of caring that you know. What are their characteristics?
- Who are the people who have given you hope in your community? How?
- Do you need hope in a situation in your life?
- Where will you get the courage to hear "Be not afraid' and open yourself to the challenge of hope?
Suggested Reading:
, Volume XIV, No 6, Nov/Dec 1999. The Upper Room.Weavings: Hope in God