Hospital

Scripture reading

When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

A hospital is a place where sick people go to get better. The staff at the hospital do whatever they can to make patients feel healthy again.

I believe the Church should be like a hospital. Broken, wounded, imperfect people should be able to come to the Church and receive the help they need – love, forgiveness, grace, truth. It would be crazy for the Emergency Room to deny a person access because they were sick! In the same way, it is tragic if the Church would turn away any individual because they are too troubled or broken. Let’s not be guilty of sending people away.

Broken people who come to the Church shouldn’t be ignored either. Hopefully you don’t go to the hospital and be placed in a corner and forgotten about! To ignore the person’s sickness, could lead to an untimely death. Patients need to be open to take the treatments and medicines they need. Patients should want to get better and that may mean adjusting a lifestyle or behavior. Sometimes, very messy issues need to be dealt with.

Let’s do our part to open the doors of the Church and welcome those that need help and healing!

God bless you today.

Reflection

How can you help someone who is hurting feel welcome and cared for in your church?

Prayer

Jesus, thank You for welcoming people who are broken and in need. Give me a compassionate heart and help me to offer love, grace, and practical care. Show me how to make room for others and walk alongside them as they seek Your help. Amen.