Heart’s treasure

Jo Penn March 17, 2024 4 2

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Luke 8:1-3 (NRSVA)

1 Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, 2 as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources.

I recently came across the song ‘Masterpiece’ by Jazmine Sullivan, whose words speak of a personal revelation of her own beauty and value: being set free from lies that have strangled life, and instead being able to show her true picture to the world. It made me think of the life-changing effect of meeting Jesus face to face.

The list of women in our reading seems to imply that they were from different backgrounds, and had different stories of how Jesus had dealt with their infirmities. Bound together by a common thread of thankfulness, and change in life circumstances, they pool their resources to help further the lifestyle and work of Jesus and his disciples.

The gospels document several of Jesus’ meetings with women, seeing them as important moments that say something of how God deeply values the contribution that women make in their communities and who they are.

What does such indebtedness call out in a person? What changes in priority would occur? In Matthew 6:21 it says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

We can look at how we spend our money, our time, our energy for clues as to where our ‘worship’ (attributing worth) is focused. What is most important to us? Where do we aim our acts of generosity, service and hope?

At Scargill, where I live and work, our community aims to live by our Pathway promises. One of which is:

‘We see Jesus helping and encouraging folk to develop individual gifts and talents that can be used to serve God and other people.

We look forward to using, discovering and being surprised by the gifts that God has given to us and to the people around us.’

Amongst the women, there will have been a lot of learning to work together for their common goal, to be humble enough to share knowledge and resources, and being willing to forgo comfort, control and wealth.

Prayer:

Thank you, God, for those women who:

- invest their time, resources, love and energy into our lives

- show us how to live a life in service to God

- see our potential and cheer us on

Amen