Reflections
Two Sundays ago I had to leave quickly after worship to catch a flight out of Memphis, and Kathy stayed to finish up Altar Guild duties and a few other things. As she was leaving she met two men who were accessing the Blessing Box. Not surprisingly, she struck up a conversation and learned that they were both homeless, living off what what the streets of Water Valley, in general, and the Blessing Box, in particular, had to offer. More surprisingly, she learned that one was the son of old friends( now deceased). When that relationship was shared, the man/son, with tears in his eyes, said, “ My father was my hero. I have disappointed him so badly.”
That evening, as she told me of this encounter, the spiritual cataracts that had grown over my soul began to peal away. I began to understand that I really preferred to depersonalize the poor, the homeless and those with problems beyond my capacity to solve. I always help in very structured and institutionalized ways, and really prefer to keep the safe distance that anonymity allows. There is also a protective covering woven by my judgmental attitude: “What has he done to bring this on himself? There are plenty of jobs out there.” Etc,etc,etc.
Kathy’s account of our relationship with this man shattered those self protective walls, and forced me to wonder what our old friends would want of us? More importantly, what is Jesus asking of me? Unfortunately for my self-protective desires, I cannot find anywhere in the Gospels where Jesus tells me to care only for those who deserve to be cared for.
This past Thursday I had just locked the church up, and Kathy and I began walking to Home Town Pizza for dinner. We passed a man walking the other way, and, as he passed by, Kathy shouted to him, “Hey, I know you! We met at the Blessing Box”. He turned around in recognition, smiled a very large smile and Kathy introduced me to him. They talked for a while, then she asked, “Where’s your friend?”
“In jail,” he responded. “Robbed that store”, as he pointed across the street.
It doesn’t get any easier, I thought.
Kathy went back in the church and brought out a sack of toiletries and a shirt that she had put together for him and his, now jailed, friend. “Now, let’s get dinner,” she said, and she opened the Blessing Box and picked out some things she remembered he liked. His smile was radiant. “Where do you stay at night,” she asked. He told us, including many details. After thanking us, again, and with a very weary smile he headed out for his overnight quarters.
We didn’t solve any of his long term issues, but as I watched it all unfold I was convinced of God’s presence.
“Hey, I know you,” she said. Maybe that’s were I begin, with the universal need to be known. It may be the deepest yearning of the human heart, and I remember how at a very young age Jesus’s words about God’s intimacy with me touched my very tender soul.
I’m going to visit Kathy’s other friend at the Yalobusha County jail. Jesus was pretty clear about that admonition, and I want this man to be known as something more than a deep disappointment to his father.
The older I get the more Jesus challenges me to go deeper…and the more I learn from my wife.
Sunday’s Scriptures-A Few Brief Thoughts
Isaiah 1:10-18
Worship that does not lead to action outside of our worship space misses the point, and, as Isaiah suggests in a wonderfully anthropomorphic image, is actually
a burden to God. One of the reasons that I am so glad that Tina Frizzell is among us as a deacon-in-training is that in her diaconal vocation she is called to remind the church that worship carries with it God’s admonition to “cease to do evil, learn to do good, seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.”
Psalm 32:1-8
Coming to terms with our own sins, and the burden they have imposed on us, is the beginning of a knowledge of God as our “hiding place” and the joy and freedom in forgiveness.
2 Thessalonians 1:1-4; 11-12
If God initiates a relationship, and what we are doing in this life is always responding to God’s eternal initiative, then what does it mean to ask “God to make [us] worthy of his call…”? Many things, of course, but it does suggest a noble vocation, but one that will require “steadfastness and faith during…the persecutions and afflictions…” of this life.
Luke 9:1-10
Jesus takes the initiative and invites himself into Zacchaeus’s home. I believe that at least part of the transformation we see in him is that he was seen by Jesus-in the tree and as he truly was (see Reflections above). But always, even in our best efforts, the grace-filled initiative is from beyond us.
Other Matters of Interest
Halloween Pot Luck Follows Church: Come One Come All!
Immediately after worship we are invited to a Halloween Pot Luck Social at the home of Robbie Fisher and Beth Fisher. Costumes are optional, but bring a dish to compliment the chili, cornbread, muffins and a variety of drinks our hosts will provide. Hot dogs and s’mores will also be available. Printed directions to their home can be picked up on the table in the back of the church.
Stewardship Campaign Continues
Stewardship pledge cards are being sent out to the congregation this week. If you haven’t received your card, please check with the Vicar, or Kathryn York. It may be as simple as our not having your mailing address! Additional cards are available in the back of the church. We hope to have all the cards in by Sunday, November 13.
Stewardship Reflection: James McCormick
Nativity’s Senior Warden, James McCormick, will reflect during worship on why Nativity is important to him and worth his and our support in our ongoing Stewardship Campaign.
See you Sunday,
Peace,
Duncan
Contact info:
601-260-1937
Kommentare