Our reading from Acts this week reflected on the miraculous healing of a man born crippled. As we read this 1st century story of miraculous healing, we reflected on our difficulties identifying miracles of healing in the 21st century. Then we reflected on last Sunday’s blood drive.
Twenty-one pints of blood were contributed by our congregation, while our attendance has been averaging about 45 individuals. This is in stark contrast to 10 or 20 years ago when blood drive donations often yielded much less than 21 pints and attendance was double to triple our current numbers. Furthermore, last week’s 21 pints does not include the six individuals who tried but were not able to contribute! Even considering a larger turnout in support of Tatiana we all considered 21 pints to be a large, even inexplicable number. In a word, we all agreed the blood donation event felt miraculous.
We concurred that comparing 1st century and 21st century perceptions about the use of the word “miracle” is difficult. But what is important is a consideration of how a miraculous event impacted the people that experienced the event. Certainly, those who viewed Peter’s curing the man born crippled in Acts chapters 3-4 to be a miracle of God. In that light, we viewed the results of last week’s blood drive, likewise, to be nothing less than a miracle.
This week we ask you to join us in prayer and reflection on the miracles of God happening around us today.
Thank you.
Jim Wee