Will you be exalted to heaven?

Gospel MT 11:20-24

Jesus began to reproach the towns
where most of his mighty deeds had been done,
since they had not repented.
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!
For if the mighty deeds done in your midst
had been done in Tyre and Sidon,
they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes.
But I tell you, it will be more tolerable
for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
And as for you, Capernaum:

Will you be exalted to heaven?
You will go down to the nether world.

For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Sodom,
it would have remained until this day.
But I tell you, it will be more tolerable
for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”

Will you be exalted to heaven?  That's the compelling question in today's gospel and puts everything else into perspective.  Last night our bikes were stolen from our garage - an old mountain bike, a tandem bike and a newer mountain bike that belonged to my sister-in-law.  Perhaps our older son left the garage door open when he took out the garbage/recycling cans for pickup.  But I can't blame him - how many times have I left the garage door open?  Too many to count.  I was sad and still am - not because the bikes that were stolen were terribly precious, they were just bikes and bikes can be replaced.  I'm sad because the theft reflects a part of the human condition (the ugly part) that I don't want to have to come to grips with.  I feel better when I can trust others, when I can expect the best from them.  This whole bike thing now has me being defensive, protective - what do I have to do now to protect everything else in my house, my wife and children?  Is that an over-reaction or just a stark reality?  At the same time, maybe in light of spending time reading God's word, I am also compassionate toward the people that took our bikes.  Were they desperate?  Addicted?  Jobless and just trying to put food on their table by selling some stolen bikes?  Only God knows.  They live in a world where stealing from others that have more is OK.  I feel sorry for them - I can forgive them.  I need to forgive them.  Will I be exalted to heaven?  Forgiving them is the choice that brings me one step closer to heaven.

Miracles happen

Gospel MT 9:18-26

While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward,
knelt down before him, and said,
“My daughter has just died.
But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.”
Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples.
A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him
and touched the tassel on his cloak.
She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.”
Jesus turned around and saw her, and said,
“Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.”
And from that hour the woman was cured.

When Jesus arrived at the official’s house
and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion,
he said, “Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.”
And they ridiculed him.
When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand,
and the little girl arose.
And news of this spread throughout all that land.

Some of my chronic pain patients have suffered for many years from compounding, complicated problems.  Sometimes I feel like I have little to offer them.  But that's not entirely true.  I can pray for them.  I can pray for healing.  Just as God has worked miracles in my life, I can ask God to work a miracle in theirs.  And I often do.  Quietly.  They may not even know that I am prayer for them.  Dear Lord, sometimes I feel so overwhelmed and inadequate when a patient comes to me.  Help me to help them.  Use me as an instrument of your power and love.