Is there anyone whose heart is not frightened at some time or another? Thus, the Lord’s message in Isaiah is directed to all of us. When we encounter Jesus, we will experience vindication and recompense.

Like most people on the road, when it’s time for a meal, I start scanning the shop windows for signs of life. On such occasions, an “open” sign floods me with hope that a warm meal and a cold drink are within my grasp. A “closed” placard, on the other hand, dashes my spirits and sets me back to wandering.

Then he left the region of Tyre, went through Sidon back to Galilee Lake and over to the district of the Ten Towns. Some people brought a man who could neither hear nor speak and asked Jesus to lay a healing hand on him.

My friend Mary Anne starting ministering to migrant workers in rural Michigan 10 years ago, after her husband died young and she wanted to give his clothes to those who could use them.

Jesus cured the deaf man with the speech impediment in today’s gospel by poking him in the ear and spitting in his mouth. Oddly enough that was the common method of treatment among the healers of Jesus’ time. So what made Jesus different?

A few summers ago I was on a team that was running a men’s retreat weekend, and I was on kitchen duty. The setting was rustic and the kitchen primitive. We made meals using a few available utensils and a couple of propane rings to cook on.

In prayer we call upon God to strengthen us in our following of the way of Jesus.

If poor people come in . . . make room for them wholeheartedly, O bishop, even if it means that you have to sit on the ground. You must not be a respecter of persons if you want your ministry to be agreeable before God.