Ordinary Time 
Pause
How do we need to be healed?
For our physical selves and in our inmost hearts–
For our individual lives and in our families–
For our schools, neighborhoods, and communities–
For our countries and across continents–
From the depths of the ocean to the moon and back–
We pray:
God, show us mercy.
Listen
The Lord proclaims: Sing joyfully for the people of Jacob; shout for the leading nation. Raise your voices with praise and call out: “The Lord has saved his people, the remaining few in Israel!”
I’m going to bring them back from the north; I will gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the disabled, expectant mothers and those in labor; a great throng will return here.
Jeremiah 31:7-8
Think
The blind man, Bartimaeus, raised his voice, shouting above the crowd for Jesus’ attention. He shouted for mercy. He called out for healing.
The prophet Jeremiah expresses God’s command to people of faith: Raise your voices! Shout! Call out, because God heals God’s people. God saves God’s people. Sing with joy!
The blind man, Bartimaeus, joined the crowd of followers, going along with Jesus on his way.
The prophet Jeremiah expresses God’s promise to people of faith: no matter how wounded or outcast you are, I’ll gather you in. No matter how far you have gone away, I’ll bring you home.
Maybe this is the miracle: the healing of hearts, so we can join together in loud rejoicing.
Maybe this is the miracle: the homecoming of people who believe they are broken, the gathering-in of those who think they are alone.
Nikki Finkelstein-Blair
Pray
When I feel broken, God, let me believe your promise. When I feel alone, let me sense your welcome. Teach me then to look and listen for those who are still waiting for healing. Amen.
Go
Follow Jesus’ invitation: Seek, and find mercy.
Ask, and share in healing.
Gather, and join in praise.
Go, and be overjoyed.
