FLM Toby Fanantenana 67Ha
Worship Communion, Sunday XIV after Trinity
Week from 18 to 23 September 2017
“God heals”
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Introduction: “God heals”: this is in fact a reflect of his salvation work for men, consisting in bringing them back to their original being before the Fall in Eden (Gen 3:6). For there was no disease or illness on earth at the time when God ended the creation, as it is written: “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” Gen 1:31a. Jesus is full of love and compassionate towards his people, and said: “whoever comes to me I will never drive away” Jn 6:37. So He healed whatever diseases and illnesses that were brought to Him (Mt 4:24). The Gospel’s mission includes healing diseases and illnesses. Therefore when Jesus sent his disciples to spread the Gospel, He gave them the authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness (Mt 10:1). The calling and sending of his servants to proclaim God’s salvation remains, according to Jesus’ statement: “Anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing” Jn 14:12a. In the same way, He said: “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy drive out demons” Mt 10:8. And He instructed his disciples to heal people and commanded them, saying:“and these signs will accompany those who believe … they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well” Mk 16:18b. God gives a total and perfect healing as a result of the total and perfect work of redemption fulfilled by Jesus Christ on the cross for us sinners. For “he took up our infirmities”, “and by his wounds we are healed” Is 53: 4a, 5d. This is received through faith and repentance. For “the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” Ps 51:17. On this basis, Jesus said: “your faith has healed you… be freed from your sufferings” Mk 5:34.
Monday 18: God heals, a promise for his people.
“Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed” Jer 17:14a.
Reading 1: Mt 8:1-4; Reading 2: Jer 17:13-14; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Jer 17:14. Other references:
– “Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases”
Ps 103: 2 – 3
– “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us. ‘’If you
can?’ said Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for him who believes” Mk 9:22-23.
Tuesday 19: Jesus frees from sin.
“Because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin…” Rom 8:2.
Reading 1: Mt 9:1-8; Reading 2: Rom 8:1-17; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Rom 8:1-2. Other references:
– “Jesus… said to the paralytic, ‘Take heart, son, your sins are forgiven” Mt 9:2.
– “Having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; He took it
away, nailing it to the cross” Col 2:14.
Wednesday 20: Jesus is compassionate towards the sick.
“Do you want to get well?” Jn 5:6b.
Reading 1: Lk 10:25-37; Reading 2: Jn 5:1-14; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Jn 5:6-8. Other references:
– “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” Ps 46:1.
– “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” Mt 11:28.
Thursday 21: Jesus never refuses to heal people.
“People brought to him all who were ill with various diseases” Mt 4:24a.
Reading 1: Ps 30:1-3; Reading 2: Mt 4:23-25; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Mt 4:24. Other references:
– “And begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed” Mt 14: 36.
– “Whoever comes to me I will never drive away” Jn 6:37.
Friday 22: Healing is received through faith.
“Your faith has healed you” Mt 9:22a.
Reading 1: 1 Kg 17:17-24; Reading 2: Mt 9:18-22; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Mt 9:22. Other references:
– “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word and my servant will be healed…Then
Jesus said to the centurion, ‘Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.’ And his servant was healed at that very
hour” Mt 8:8,13.
– “He said to her: ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your sufferings” Mk 5:34.
Saturday 23: Be willing to be healed by the Lord.
“What do you want me to do for you?” Mk 10:51a.
Reading 1: 2 Kg 5:9-14; Reading 2: Mk 10:46-52; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Mk 10:51. Other references:
– “This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness
and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it” Is 30:15.
– “But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord, ‘because you are called an outcast, Zion for
whom no one cares” Jer 30:17.
Note: This pericope is published in Malagasy, French, English and German and can be seen on the sites: www.flm67ha.org and
on www.hifi-madanet.org and on Facebook “Hifi- english”. © Madanet