786 rebroadcast 004 Only the wounded can serve in love's name

About this episode

The episode explores the themes of healing and serving others through the lens of Thornton Wilder's play and biblical teachings.

June 08: In this podcast episode, we explore Thornton Wilder's one-act play, "The Angel That Troubled the Waters," which draws inspiration from John 5:1-4. Set by the pool of Bethesda, renowned for its healing waters when stirred by an angel, the play presents a modern rendition where a weary physician seeks solace from his melancholy. Through a profound dialogue with the angel, the physician discovers that his wounds and sorrows grant him the power to touch the hearts of others. As the play unfolds, the physician's role shifts, offering hope and solace to those in need, reminding us that embracing our own brokenness allows us to become wounded healers as we draw closer to Jesus. The episode concludes with reflections on the importance of bringing our wounds into the light, letting go of guilt and shame, and embracing forgiveness, enabling us to serve others in love's name. The passage from 2 Corinthians 1:4 reinforces the concept that God comforts us in our troubles, allowing us to comfort others in turn. Wilder’s play came to my attention from Brennan Manning’s, Abba's Child: The Cry of the Heart for Intimate Belonging – I highly recommend it. ⁠Email me your…

People in this episode

Host: John Spencer

Topics covered

• healing
• brokenness
• forgiveness
• serving others
• spirituality
• Christianity

Keywords

• healing
• wounded healers
• forgiveness
• spiritual growth
• Christian teachings
• Thornton Wilder
• Brennan Manning

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Angel That Troubled the Waters, Abba's Child: The Cry of the Heart for Intimate Belonging

More episodes of The Daily Grind

• 790 rebroadcast of 529 Don’t Copy the World — A Living Sacrifice (Romans 12:1–2) · June 12, 2026 · 17 min
• 789 rebroadcast of 528 The Good Samaritan – Who Is My Neighbor? · June 11, 2026 · 17 min
• 788 rebroadcast 527 The Council of Chalcedon – When the Church Defined the Mystery of Jesus · June 10, 2026 · 18 min
• 787 rebroadcast: 005 From Hostility To Hospitality · June 9, 2026 · 14 min
• 785 Broken Reeds and False Hopes Ezekiel 30 (The Gospel According to Ezekiel Part 25) · June 5, 2026 · 22 min
• 784 Pharaoh the Great Monster Ezekiel 29 (The Gospel According to Ezekiel Part 24) · June 4, 2026 · 21 min