Ordinary 4, Year C

Linda Ferguson

Num. 31: 1-7, 25-31 and Mark 5:1-20

Scott has told me that St. Andrew is doing intentional work around being a good neighbor in your immediate community.  When he invited me to preach to the question of how the church might be called to extend that neighbor love to military veterans in the area, I felt honored and excited, and I was, once again, reminded of the remarkable way that the Holy Spirit moves within us and between us.

You see, that very question has been at the growing edge of my ministry as a VA Chaplain for the past couple of years, as my clinical focus has shifted into outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment.  Through specialized training in the areas of PTSD and Moral Injury, and with deepening experience working with veterans, I am coming to understand the essential role of community in the healing of our wounded warriors.  As a representative of the Church within the secular setting of the healthcare clinic, I’m sad to say that I’ve been made aware of ways in which we have fallen short of our call to embody Christ’s compassion and prophetic love in our communities.   But I am also hopeful and energized by the potential we have to step up and step into our call to be agents of healing and reconciliation in the world.

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