Each week we'll highlight a current event or ongoing story from world and reflect on it through the lens of the gospel. First check out this article linked below.
From NPR
Reflect and Act:
In the gospel this week we hear a story about how Jesus worked for healing and liberation in the life of a man from Gennesaret who had been cast out from his community. We see Jesus in dialogue with the spirits possessing the man and the miraculous work of casting our those spirits and restoring the man to his right mind and right relationship with his community. What we don't see is what happened immediately before this story. Right before Jesus and the disciples land on the eastern shores of the Sea of Galilee they are caught in a storm late at night which Jesus calms by "rebuking the wind" and waves. While this is in and of itself miraculous, another miraculous part of the story is that Jesus only rebuked the wind and waves because the disciples woke him up! Otherwise he might have slept through the whole thing. As much as the story of Jesus calming the storm is indicative of his miraculous work in the world, it is also indicative of his dedication to rest and the care of his own body and soul. So, when we hear this week's story about Jesus healing the possessed man, we must remember that he was able to show up in the way that he did because he first rested.
This week's article is about the many ways that we can be activists in our own communities and, like Jesus, work for healing and liberation. It is also about how activism does not require burnout, but is at its best when supported by care of self, rest, and attention to our own healing and liberation. How are you working for healing and liberation in your community? In what ways are you extending that work to yourself as well? What are the practices helping you avoid burnout in this work? Take some time to share your thoughts with the group.