February 6th Reflection by Bill Lynch

2 Kings 4:8-17, 32-37 (NRSV)
Elisha raises the Shunammite child
One day Elisha was passing through Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to have a meal. So whenever he passed that way, he would stop there for a meal. She said to her husband, "Look, I am sure that this man who regularly passes our way is a holy man of God. Let us make a small roof chamber with walls, and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that he can stay there whenever he comes to us."

One day when he came there, he went up to the chamber and lay down there. He said to his servant Gehazi, "Call the Shunammite woman." When he had called her, she stood before him. He said to him, "Say to her, Since you have taken all this trouble for us, what may be done for you? Would you have a word spoken on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army?" She answered, "I live among my own people." He said, "What then may be done for her?" Gehazi answered, "Well, she has no son, and her husband is old." He said, "Call her." When he had called her, she stood at the door. He said, "At this season, in due time, you shall embrace a son." She replied, "No, my lord, O man of God; do not deceive your servant."


The woman conceived and bore a son at that season, in due time, as Elisha had declared to her. ...

When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed. So he went in and closed the door on the two of them, and prayed to the Lord. Then he got up on the bed and lay upon the child, putting his mouth upon his mouth, his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands; and while he lay bent over him, the flesh of the child became warm. He got down, walked once to and fro in the room, then got up again and bent over him; the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. Elisha summoned Gehazi and said, "Call the Shunammite woman." So he called her. When she came to him, he said, "Take your son." She came and fell at his feet, bowing to the ground; then she took her son and left.

Reflection
This passage displays people helping people. The Shunammite woman helped Elisha in giving him a place to stay. Elisha didn't ask for a place to stay, the woman was generous of heart.

Elisha, likewise, wanted to do something for the woman. The woman didn't ask for a child, Elisha was the prophet to notify the woman of a birth to come. But then the child died. Elisha went to the child and through the gift of life from God the child was restored to life.

People helping people, but God in the midst of it all. The heart of this passage is God active in the lives of people. God moving humans to love one another in word and deed.

Even today, God moves through people. The Holy Spirit moves through the Church in so many giving and loving ways, in mission, in worship, in Word, in the sacraments and in people helping people. All because of what God has done for each of us. We are restored to life through God's gracious activity in the lives of people helping people. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, breathe new life into your Church that people may help people in all the ways you would desire... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen