Guidance for 89 years of age.

Guidance for 89 years of age.

In a previous year’s reflection on the daily office with the Gospel of Luke I noted that Luke takes his concern and the concern of Jesus for the poor right to the final hours of Jesus ministry. We had the Zacchius story in chapter 19, where as a follower of Christ he will share his wealth with the poor, and now as Jesus is teaching in the temple in his last days he observes the widow’s mite, she is giving far more in proportion than those with the means to give more. Her witness is in chapter 21. In chapter 22 Jesus will be arrested and the trial will begin.

At age 89 I admit that I am in the final years of my life, and with two adults, a son and a daughter, with severe mental illnesses requiring a residential 24/7 and a long term care facility at present, I am going to take my concern for the mentally ill into the final years of my life. 

In this time of the last days Jesus uses the Greek present imperatives of continuous, know continuously, take heed continuously, and watch continuously. Other translations are be on guard and be alert, equally important continuous nuances for our here and now time as Jesus talks about the destruction of Jerusalem. 

Greek verbs instruct us on how to act in the present, continuously. I trust each reader and listener will identify a continuous activity to be lived out fully for the good of all.

I encourage the reading of chapters 21 and 22 in Luke's Gospel for your guidance as well.

May God’s blessing go with you.

Marlin Whitmer

The Good Samaritan Story Updated

Greetings,

The Good Samaritan story ending as a continuous beginning.

^{Luke 10:36} Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ ³⁷ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.

Go and do in the Greek language are present imperative verbs meaning continuous action in the present. This does not translate well into English. Therefore we need a new mind, metanoia, to begin thinking and acting in this way. Some already are without knowing about the Greek verb, others may need the Greek verb to move into action. And here is an update for those living in the state of Iowa. 

The Good Samaritan ending as a huge beginning. Are you ready? From the Des Moines Register editorial

“If we see people bleeding, we send every available paramedic, ambulance and physician. When people are emotionally bleeding, they tend to get ignored or discounted.”

This observation by Bruce Buchanan, president and CEO of Compass Clinical Associates in Des Moines, resonates with anyone who has struggled with mental illness or tried to find help for a family member who is struggling. 

Iowa has a long way to go in creating a system of care that works for people. …"

Shalom,

Marlin