Quietly worshipful and noisily grateful: Reflections on Luke 7

Jesus has just raised a widow’s son from the dead. How do the witnesses respond?

“They all realized they were in a place of holy mystery, that God was at work among them. They were quietly worshipful—and then noisily grateful, calling out among themselves, “God is back, looking to the needs of his people!” The news of Jesus spread all through the country. (Luke 7:16-17 The Message)

The disciples of John the Baptist heard what was going on. Two of them go to ask Jesus ask if he’s the one they are expecting, or should they keep waiting? Jesus waits hours before answering. In those hours he heals many, including restoring sight to the blind. Then he tells John’s disciples to go back and tell John what they’ve seen and heard.

The phrase “quietly worshipful and noisily grateful” really resonates. Many congregations excel at being quietly worshipful. Noisily grateful seems boastful. How are we going to proclaim God’s good news if we cannot tell how we’ve seen and heard God in action? Is Jesus the one, or should people keep waiting?

I encourage congregations to be noisily grateful. How has your congregation experienced healing and hope? What healing and hope can we can offer to others? Even when the news is heavy, God offers us opportunity for a ministry of listening, a ministry of prayer, a ministry of acknowledging the suffering and hurt all around us. All steps towards healing.

The offering gives us a place to tell stories. Let us proclaim what we have seen and heard, how God is looking to the needs of God’s people - and that we can all join in this ministry. Thanks be to God!

P.S. This reflection was inspired by a great conversation with Rev. Dr. Neil Mancor from the Anglican Diocese of Montreal and Rev. Canon Lisa Vaughn from the Anglican Diocese of Nova Scotia and PEI this week, part of their Pew & Beyond discussions on Facebook. If you’re wondering how your congregation might use Growing a Generous Church: A Year in the Life of Peach Blossom Church in a book club, this might be useful :)