{"id":9553,"date":"2023-01-10T07:41:50","date_gmt":"2023-01-10T12:41:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/?p=9553"},"modified":"2023-01-04T12:18:32","modified_gmt":"2023-01-04T17:18:32","slug":"january-15-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/january-15-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"January 15, 2023–Come and See"},"content":{"rendered":"

fAmy Martinell, Sioux Falls, SD<\/b><\/p>\n

Warm-up Questions<\/b><\/h4>\n

In the gospel text, Jesus invites two future disciples to come and spend the day with him. What is the best invitation you have received to spend time with someone? Who was it? What did you do? What made that invitation special?<\/p>\n

Come and See<\/b><\/h4>\n

During the first quarter of the Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills safety, Damar Hamlin, collapsed on the field after making a tackle. Medical personnel quickly rushed on field to administer CPR. Both Hamlin\u2019s teammates and opponents were visibly upset as they looked on: some with tears in their eyes, others kneeling to pray.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The NFL postponed the game and later that night the Buffalo Bills released this statement,\u00a0<\/span>\u201cDamar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest following a hit in our game versus the Bengals. Medical personnel restored his heartbeat on the field, and transferred him to the UC Medical Center for further testing and treatment. He is currently sedated and listed in critical condition.”<\/p>\n

I write this article the day after the football game and Damar Hamlin remains in critical condition. While Hamlin collapsing during the game was extremely hard to watch, it has been wonderful to see the outpouring of support for him and his family. Fans of both the Bengals and the Bills gathered outside the hospital to light candles and offer prayers. A gofundme page Hamlin started in 2020 to provide Christmas gifts for kids in need has received over four million dollars in donations, and players across the NFL have tweeted out support and prayers for Hamlin. Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman may have put it best, \u201cThe game is not important. Damar Hamlin\u2019s life is important. Please be ok. Please.\u201d<\/p>\n

Damar Hamlin did not need a reminder about what was important in life.\u00a0 <\/span>His family, his teammates, and serving others are top priorities for him. I was hesitant to share this story because I do not know how the story of Hamlin\u2019s injury will turn out.\u00a0 Yet, after learning more about him, I felt his story deserves to be shared and discussed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hamlin started his charity in 2020, before he was an NFL player. As a college student, he strove to provide presents for those children most impacted by the pandemic and has continued this work. Hamlin has been a supportive teammate and strives to enjoy every minute of the incredible experience of playing in the NFL. Hamlin has shared that he is very close to his family and his life revolves around them. He attended college in his hometown of Pittsburgh and picked the college in part so that he could stay close to his family and be a role model for his younger brother.<\/p>\n

Discussion Questions<\/b><\/h4>\n