February 7, 2021 - Fifth Sunday After Epiphany
Deborah Laforet Deuteronomy 18:15-20 & Mark 1:29-31
Filling Your Bucket
So, today is my anniversary. Jeff and I were married 24 years ago today, a small wedding in Westland, Michigan. And a year ago, Jeff and I were celebrating our anniversary in Oahu, Hawaii, just before the pandemic hit and travel was suspended. Jeff and I always try and plan a trip away for our anniversary, even if it’s just for a couple of days, somewhere local, to make the day special.
I’m feeling sad that we aren’t able to celebrate in that way this year. In fact, I’m sad about a lot of things lately. There are so many things that I miss, so many people, events, gatherings, and places. I’m even a little bored, my days seem to look the same, week after week. I got very excited this week that I would be at the church all day on Thursday while the livestream equipment was set up, but, at the same time, felt a sense of discomfort, leaving the house after so long.
And I know I’m not the only one having these feelings. I know we all miss our family and friends. We miss the ability to plan an outing and be part of a gathering. We’re lonely. We’re anxious and scared. We’re depressed. And we’re sometimes afraid to express any of this because we know others are worse off or because we know others are depending on us or there isn’t anyone to hear us.
Last week, was Bell’s annual “Let’s talk,” day. The day is meant to encourage people to talk about mental health. Talking about it helps remove the stigma. And Bell is not the only one talking it. I’m hearing it on the news and in different meetings I attend during the week. There is concern for the impact on children and youth at home, missing the everyday social interactions, for families who are working from home and having to assist and entertain their children, or those people who are working outside the home and how they manage child care. There is concern for those who have lost their job or are losing their business. There is concern for seniors, fearing to leave their homes and being isolated. There is concern for essential workers being on high alert for this length of time. There is concern for those with pre-existing mental health struggles for whom this pandemic is making a strong impact. And I don’t fall into any of these categories, so really, I should be OK. But I’m not. And I know you’re not.
For the past few weeks, I’ve been talking about prophets and disciples, about how we respond faithfully to God’s call, to the teachings of Jesus, to making this world a better place for all people. I’ve talked about showing compassion, loving our neighbours, being an advocate and an ally, and responding to the needs of our community, which is all necessary work and part of living a faith-filled life, but all of this is only possible if we are well and healthy ourselves. It’s hard to give back if our own buckets are empty, if our own emotional, mental, and spiritual needs are not being met.
We heard a story about Jesus today that always makes me feel a bit overwhelmed. Jesus and a few of his disciples have just left the synagogue and they have walked to Simon’s and Andrew’s home. I’m assuming they’re going to have some down time, to have a meal together, and to hang out, maybe to continue learning from this new teacher and rabbi.
Last week, I talked about how when Jesus went to this house, his first action was to heal Simon’s mother-in-law. Now, I don’t know if word got out about this or if his action of casting out a demon in the synagogue attracted attention, but the text tells us, that after sunset, just as evening was setting on, there were suddenly all these ill people at the door. Everyone in the town crowded around the house. And of course, Jesus, being who he was, tried to heal all of them, tried to cast out the demons from the demon-possessed (which by the way, is sometimes a reference to those struggling with mental health), and we don’t know how long this went on. It could have been hours or all night, but the next morning, Jesus gets up, goes to a lonely place in the desert, and prays.
Jesus needs to refill his bucket. He has been giving of himself, teaching and healing, and needs time to centre himself, to connect with God, to remember his mission and re-focus. When the disciples find him, they say, “Everyone is looking for you.” I imagine that even more people had shown up to be healed and to witness to this extraordinary person. But after this time on his own, Jesus knows that it’s time to move on. Not that he abandons those people who have come, because there will always be people in need. He probably could have set up shop at Simon’s and Andrew’s home and people would have come to him, all day long but that’s not what he was called to do. Of course, he continued to heal people, but he also had to walk, teach, share the Good News, help people imagine a different world where all people are treated fairly and with justice. He couldn’t do that from a little village in Galilee.
And he remembered this after taking time for himself, to reconnect and refocus. How are you caring for yourself during this time? We’re all different so this will look different for each of us. I know some of you are reaching out and making phone calls. Some of you are doing projects that have been on the shelf, knitting, family trees, photo albums, reading books purchased long ago. Some of you are filling the time with putting together puzzles, going for walks, running, and hiking, baking, writing letters. Some are doing projects for others.
Some of us need a little more. Some of us need to get away. Have you taken that vacation? I know we can’t go anywhere, but turning off your computer and staying away from the phone, and taking a break from work, if able, is good for us. Some of us need to create a space they can call their own, a place they can go and cry, listen to loud music, journal, or just sleep. Some need hard, physical activity. Some of us need to find a therapist or counsellor with whom to talk. Some of us need medication. The difficult part sometimes is knowing what works, what it is we need, and making ourselves a priority.
The winter is long from over, the vaccine rollout seems more and more tenuous, and I think we’ll still be living with this pandemic for some time. We need to care for ourselves so that we have the ability to care for others. The Apostle Paul asked faith followers in the town of Corinth, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own?” (1 Cor. 6:19) You are a gift. Your body, meaning your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual self, are a gift from God. You are God’s and you are filled with the holy. Just as the ancient temple in Jerusalem was loved and cared for because it was filled with the presence of God, you are loved and cared for because you also are filled with holiness.
Love your neighbour as yourself. The greatest commandment. We will get through this. We are not alone. God loves you. I love you. Now love yourself. Thanks be to God. Amen.