The Tonic of Jesus

The Tonic of Jesus Copyright Doug Blair, Waterloo ON, 2020

Sanctuary Stranger on N ​ ovember 01, 2009

Ryan, the priest-novitiate nudged his superior in the arm and pointed to a pew mid-way down the sanctuary on the right side.

"There he is again. Same time almost every day. Looks around and then just sits there for about twenty minutes. Sort of a seamy looking character. I wonder if he means well? Remember the recent thievery?"

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Monseigneur quietly examined the old fellow in the dwindling late afternoon light. Quiet surroundings. Votive candles flickering nearby. Archie practicing some Bach on the organ up front. Nothing to worry about. Just sitting there. Head slightly bowed. Old tweed overcoat. Peaked winter cap in hand...

The two men went on to other matters.

But then the simple visitor stopped showing. One day in a hospital visitation, Ryan had left a parishioner's bedside and was headed for the elevator when he noticed the old fellow propped up in a bed in a four-patient ward room. He yielded to the temptation to drop in for a short visit.

After introductions he learned that "Patrick", a retired machinist and widower, had been in for about eight days following a surgical procedure of some complexity. There followed some small talk about children and grand-children in distant cities and Patrick's interests and pass times in retirement. Finally curiosity brought Ryan around to the subject of the elder's daily church stops.

"Oh that's really quite simple. I love the feel of the place. The quiet. The Gospel pictures. The courtesy. The candles. Any music is a bonus. My wife periodically came to St. Mark's. I didn't. But now I come to pray."

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"If you don't mind my asking, what sorts of prayers do you lift up. I'm a great student of prayer."

"Not much I guess. I sit down. Settle myself. Think of Heaven. Think of the many good things that have come my way. Think of ways to improve.

Remember some friends. Quietly, I say something like, '​ Hello Jesus, it's Patrick'​. Then I wait for about ten more minutes. That's all."

A few more tid-bits were exchanged. Then the handshake. The departure.

But Ryan had resolved to pay another visit soon.

The opportunity came the following Monday. On the seventh floor at the nurse's station, Ryan thought to stop and inquire about the patient's progress. He was told,"That Patrick is remarkable. Never a complaint.

Always a hopeful glimmer in his eyes. Pleasant sense of humour. Often able to get the other patients in his room talking about something interesting. A real treat."

Bedside, Ryan brought up the nurse's good report to the mysterious man.

"Oh, that's all thanks to my visitor. He comes at break of day and stands at the end of my bed. I have always been an early riser. This hospital isn't going to change that. Expect to be out of here in three more days."

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"You have a regular visitor?"

"Yep, Jesus."

"Are you serious?"

"No kidding, Ryan, it has been wonderful. Standing right there. Just as plain as you are."

"And what does He say?"

"For a while He just smiles at me, but then, ​"Hello Patrick, its Jesus​."

Annunciation on D ​ ecember 06, 2009

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Cindy had accepted somewhat awkwardly the invitation to the Advent service at St. Matthew's. Sandy had come in to the Grill for lunch with his wife Barb, and the subject had come up.

It all sounded very promising with the tasteful decorations, the right kind of Christmas music and the telling of part of the Old Story. Crystal, her three year old, would be impressed. Good to get to the values of the Season. She knew that there wouldn't be much in wrapping paper this year, Mom just having started the new job.

But Cindy had her reservations. Her parents were church folk, but they quarreled all of the time. Dad drank too much. Mom had had to take up a part-time job just to make ends meet. Neither had been in favour of her move to a new city. And Rick, the father of her child, had been in her singles group. He had split after the "bad news" of the pregnancy and was selling cars somewhere in Alberta.

Sandy had been such a refreshing customer in the restaurant. Barb had come along later. She was real and funny, and this had made her

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"mothering" tendencies acceptable. Cindy liked her, and felt that she could be trusted.

And now the service was underway, and Crystal obviously felt special in her one good dress. It appeared likely that she would be prepared to accompany the kids out to their class after the first twenty minutes. The candles, boughs and red bows had made her eyes twinkle. She was even able to join in with the chorus of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing". That man Sandy was barely visible up at the organ.

Cindy's interest was taken by the teen-age girl who took the platform.

She opened to the story of the angel's announcement of strange birth coming to young Mary. Cindy could imagine the public awkwardness, the questions from the parents, the incredulous look in Joseph. No relations, but still a baby coming.

Mary had believed and accepted the report. In her humble outburst of praise, she had stated "for he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden...he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name." Low estate. Cindy got that.

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Barb, seated next to her, had whispered with eyes still straight forward "He can be born in us too." The young woman turned and faced her full on. Eyes connected with mutual respect.

The pretty young girl up front closed the book, and descended the steps to join her friends.

Hearing

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He called me from the crowd, He did A quiet shaded place And kindly grabbed my shoulders And got into my face And thought it not improper To stoop down to my plight And smiled a knowing smile that said ‘Your ears will soon be right’.

For I had never, ever heard The children’s laugh at play The happy din of market-place The lark at break of day And silenced, never learned to speak Or utter heart’s desire.

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“Quite dumb” they said The shame of it Inside would burn like fire.

But Jesus stopped and smiled and sighed (I read those lips, you know) A sigh that seemed to grasp all pain And feel the anguish so.

Then heaven-ward He cast a glimpse His hands addressed my ears And precious words gained access Rang true, amidst my tears.

“Be opened”; what a manly voice He spoke those words for me And loosed my tongue

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For cries of joy and thanks Astoundingly. ​Mark 7: 32-37

He Must Increase on M ​ arch 09, 2011

"Not I but Christ." ​(Galatians 2:20)

This simple phrase succinctly answers the following questions:

1. Whose will governs?

2. Whose righteousness counts?

3. Who suffers God's wrath?

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4. Who gets the glory?

5. Who gets the work done?

6. Who shakes Satan's kingdom?

7. Whose strength overcomes?

8. Whose inheritance lasts?

9. Who has wisdom?

10. Who shows from the pulpit?

11. Who is the Judge?

12. Who blesses the Father?

Our capability and satisfaction are in Christ. No where else.

REAL POWER​ R ​ ELINQUISH​ R ​ EST​ R ​ IGHT THINKING

Consider one of our blogs: http://adopttheworld.blogspot.com/

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