Who can be healed?

Further reflections from the Alaska synod assembly (April 25-26 here in Anchor-town)

New Testament scholar Barbara Rossing was here to talk on climate change and the book of Revelation. She reminded us that God's intention is to heal/save the world, not to destroy it in a wave of terror. Just so we're on the same page.

On April 26, Rossing led a Bible study about the rich man in Mark's gospel who asks how he can get eternal life. Rossing examined this story with language of illness and healing, rather than sin and repenting. She takes this from the Greek "sozo," which can be translated as "saved" can also be translated as "healed." So after rich man leaves Jesus the disciples ask "Who can be saved?" (healed?)

Rossing reminded us of the problems of affluenza, a term coined to mean the suffering of too darn much stuff and not enough meaningful relationships. She posited the young rich man in Mark 10:17 might have the same problem. He knew he was sick and asked Dr. Jesus for a prescription.

Jesus says to go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor. The rich man leaves in saddness (the text says 'grieving'). He can't fill Dr. Jesus' prescription.

Rossing noted that in Bill McKibben's commentary on Job (McKibben's work is great; read it) it is our desire for More that makes us ill. So, who can be healed?

Put another way, what/who can heal us? And how?

Rossing reminds us that the rich man's request for eternal life doesn't just mean a safe, happy home in a heavenly mansion, with angels singing in the windows. The Greek for "eternal life," is "zoe ionian," or life of the ages, life that will last.

The rich man (and maybe us too) thinks eternal life is for the individual. He's wrong. Eternal life, the life that lasts, is life lived in community with God and each other. And this eternal life is available. Life with God, available now. No charge.

Rossing challenged us to consider how the church can help to lift up community. Authentic, life-giving, connected community. Churches (Central!) can be a place where people expereince life of the ages, a life of fellowship with God and others.

So maybe we need to eat some meals together. Invite someone for a walk. Go to church with a friend. Find recreation that doesn't cost money and just values time together.

I read an article once that suggested if more families (and friends) took time to eat meals together, it would transform the national landscape. We would be changed. we might even find eternal life.