Wednesday, October 16, 2024

“Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!” (Psalm 95:2, New Revised Standard Version)

                Ten adults, seven grandchildren aged five to eleven, and one dog – there was a lot of joyful noise making in Mississauga on Thanksgiving Sunday as the Soble clan et al gathered for dinner. The dog was the quiet one!

                I am usually averse to a cacophony of noise but there is something about the joyful noise of a family gathering that is rich, healthy and celebratory. Same family stories told once again, new ones added, laughter, good-natured teasing, banter, sports discussed ad nauseum, children whistling in and about, hugs and great company. None if it is very serious, deep or profound – just the joy of being together, all being relatively healthy, capped off by a dinner in which everyone contributed. “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises.” (Psalm 98: 4)

                Of course, the psalm writers are referring to bringing  a joyful noise into the act of worship in the temple. There are times and places for silence:  libraries, funeral homes (except sometimes laughter can help with sorrow), classrooms, listening to a live symphony, and most might assume a church’s sanctuary during worship time.

I have had people get upset if anyone starts clapping after a solo or a choir piece. In one church some wanted me to announce that there be no clapping. Not a chance – it is a spontaneous expression of appreciation for the performance. I am sure Jesus is clapping. There is time to be quiet in worship, of course, but there are times when we need to “let it out” and demonstrate our praise visibly, like the time when King David was met by all the people who  “were dancing before God with all their might, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and cymbals and trumpets.” (1 Chronicles 13:8)

I confess that I am not a demonstrative sort of guy but I enjoy authentic spontaneity and the exercise of spiritual freedom that others feel and express when touched by the Spirit of God in some way. It is hard to get people to laugh out loud when a good joke is told in the sermon. It is hard for some to feel comfortable to lift their hands toward God. There is the old joke which asks how do you stop Baptists from raising their hands in worship. Answer: Lower the ceiling fans.  Groan!  But you get my point. Worship is not always to be a dreary, stuffy, somber, dull experience. It is okay if we break into song, praise, joy, “singing aloud a song of thanksgiving and telling all your wondrous deeds.” (Psalm 26:7)

But if so, in worship, why not take this approach to all the beautiful and wondrous occasions which fill our daily lives? Admittedly, there is already a lot of noise in our lives, the constant roar which emits from the world around us. But what if we could speak against that din?  What if we could raise a counter melody which rises above the fray? What if we could find our voice and express our unbridled thankfulness and joy in a broken world?

Jesus helps us to discover that voice. “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11) He has given us assurances, promises, encouragement, strength, boldness, that even if there are times when we weep and mourn, “you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy.” (John 16:20) These words echo the words in Nehemiah: “Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord, and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10).

May we discover that which is praiseworthy. May we express our gratitude for the good that fills our lives.  May we anticipate that even when the going gets tough, we will have reason to make a joyful noise in the kingdom of God.

“May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, so that you may have all endurance and patience, joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.” (Colossians 1: 11 -12)

Dale

 

Wednesday, October 9

The whole congregation of believers was united as one—one heart, one mind! They didn’t even claim ownership of their own possessions. No one said, “That’s mine; you can’t have it.” They shared everything. The apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Master Jesus, and grace was on all of them. And so it turned out that not a person among them was needy. Those who owned fields or houses sold them and brought the price of the sale to the apostles and made an offering of it. The apostles then distributed it according to each person’s need. (Acts 4: 32 -35, The Message Bible)

        Come, ye thankful people, come, 

        raise the song of harvest home;

        all is safely gathered in,
        ere the winter storms begin.
        God our Maker doth provide
        for our wants to be supplied
        come to God's own temple, come
        raise the song of harvest home. (Henry Alford, 1844)

           I have always appreciated that we, Canadians, celebrate our Thanksgiving in early October as opposed to the American version in November on the cusp of Advent. It stands alone. It has always been one of my favourite traditions of the year. Its simple theme of appreciation, praise and gratitude for all that life has to offer needs little, other embellishment or enhancement as do some of the other holidays.

In all my churches where I pastored, on Thanksgiving Sunday, the communion table would be laden to overflowing on the floor with the fruits and vegetables of a generous harvest. Pumpkins, squash, apples, tomatoes, corn, zucchini, even loaves of bread, bags of rice and flour - you name it and there were ample goods on display. My little, first church in Wainfleet was the best at it.  The whole altar area was bursting in an abundance of harvest. It was like a farmer’s market had exploded.

The better part happened after Thanksgiving was “over” although we should never cease being thankful for all things. It was the custom in all my churches to box up and give the produce over to shelters and food banks. In the case of Wainfleet, we shared with the bounty with couple of the more needy families in the church. But the food never went to waste.

If I were to ask myself, what exactly is a “harvest home” referred to in the hymn, I would point to the act of sharing from our bounty. It is the model we can read about in our text from Acts. The Jerusalem Christian church, still in its infant stage of existence, celebrates its new life in Christ by an unequalled display of generosity. “They shared everything.”

It is almost impossible to imagine. We pride ourselves in ownership. We own our houses, cars, cottages, appliances, computers and so on. I am very grateful for all the stuff I own and count myself blessed. But the idea of selling everything and gifting the proceeds to others seems over-the-top, a crazy thing to do. Yes, Jesus, said to a rich man, “Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” (Luke  18: 22) But most of us usually rationalize this astonishing statement  to mean that we shouldn’t  be prisoner to our wealth. Fair enough, but let’s not slide out of Jesus’ expectation that we are to be generous, compassionate, empathetic and liberal with our giving.  It may have been that very verse which was the impetus for the early Christians in Jerusalem. They were a living example of creating a harvest home.

 A harvest home is a home where all are welcome from the very least to the very privileged.  A harvest home is a safe haven which offers comfort, blessings, hope, joy, peace and love. A harvest home has no locked doors to shut people out. A harvest home has a candle burning in the window. A harvest home has a place at the dining room table for everyone. A harvest home is replete with the aromas of food and drink, the sound of laughter, the embrace of love.  A harvest home is the shelter in the storms of life.  A harvest home is a sacred space where all are safely gathered in.

Not just our churches, but our family homes as well.

So let us all be thankful this weekend. God has provided.  Enjoy. Celebrate God’s goodness. Then pass it on! It’ll make the turkey taste that much better!

            Even so, Lord, quickly come,
            bring thy final harvest home;
            gather thou thy people in,
            free from sorrow, free from sin,
            there, forever purified,
            in thy presence to abide;
            come, with all thine angels, come,
            raise the glorious harvest home.

 Dale

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

“But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3: 12 -14, New Living Translation)

                I turned 73 years old yesterday. I don’t feel a day over 72. It was a great birthday – four baseball playoff games to watch and Susan made me a raisin pie, one of my favourites. Life can’t get much better.

                It has got me to thinking about what may be left on my “bucket list,” those aspirations, ambitions or things to do or see before one dies. No, I do not want to parachute out of a plane, kayak down rapids or scale Mt. Everest. But I would like to see, in person, a World Series’ game, preferably with the Blue Jays in it (LOL). I would like to visit Scotland, Spain and Australia. I would like to go to baseball’s annual All-Star game.

                But when I come to think of it, I have done some pretty cool things in my 73 years. I have been to the Middle East and the Holy Land, Indonesia, Rome and London (England). I have been to Spring Training games and Baseball’s Hall of Fame. I have preached at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church in Toronto, one of the leading pulpits in Canada. I have travelled across Canada from coast to coast, save for Labrador, NWT and the Yukon. That’s just a few things I have done or seen. My bucket may not be quite full yet, but I may need a larger bucket for what may yet come. I ain’t dead yet!!!

                I first learned the Philippians' verses as a young boy in my home church in Belleville. They were the theme verses for our Tyro boys’ group. Consequently, they have remained my personal, scriptural, life’s encouragement ever since. In recognizing that I am never finished in life, never totally complete. never totally having  arrived, never done with life,  never having completely achieved all that I could, I am to press on, strive to be better, look forwards to the future,  “I press on to reach the end of the race…”

                Now, I admit that I have become pretty lazy in my retirement.  Arthritis keeps me from running many races or doing the things I used to do such as gardening and the like. But Paul is not referring me to join an actual marathon but rather to keep my attitude focused on the future and to remain open to new possibilities in the areas of my faith and practice. I can’t change the past but I can shape, with God’s help, my future. “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!” (1 Corinthians 9:24)

                Sometimes, in sports, children get a medal for just participating, whether they win or lose or anyone keeps score at all. That’s nice. But I think Paul is suggesting that there is more to Christianity than mere participation, just going through the motions, doing the least so that we can make into God’s Hall of Fame. Paul is not encouraging us to do the minimum but to strive for being better, to strain in doing good, to go-all-out in our Christian endeavours. “Remember, there is only one foundation, the one already laid: Jesus Christ. Take particular care in picking out your building materials. Eventually there is going to be an inspection. If you use cheap or inferior materials, you’ll be found out. The inspection will be thorough and rigorous. You won’t get by with a thing. If your work passes inspection, fine; if it doesn’t, your part of the building will be torn out and started over. But you won’t be torn out; you’ll survive—but just barely.” (1 Corinthians 3: 12 -14, The Message Bible)

                As long as we are alive and kicking, no matter our age, we can all strive to live lives that are worthy of the prize.

                “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4: 7 - 8)

                Somebody, pass me my running shoes!

Dale

               

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

“Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.”  (Proverbs 22:6, New Living Translation)

                Grandparenting is easy; parenting was hard.

                But I didn’t realize how complex and difficult it is for today’s parents, like our own adult children with their young families, until I read an article today on CBC News about “lighthouse parenting.” Never heard the phrase before. I have heard about helicopter parents; those who hover over their children every step of the way. But the article introduced me to other unfamiliar parenting styles. “Then came the bulldozer parents seeking to remove any and all obstacles out of our child's path… Then tiger parents pushed their children to be highly successful, while jellyfish parents were lenient and flexible….” There are more, but you get the idea. They left out “tough love” for parents of wayward teens as opposed to gentle parents who use gentle forms of persuasion and instruction.

                Now, I grew up in an age when the main biblical adage which supported some of my mother’s parenting style was: “Don’t be afraid to correct your young ones; a spanking won’t kill them. A good spanking, in fact, might save them from something worse than death.” (Proverbs 23: 13 -14, The Message Bible) A fly swatter was a favourite source of correction; yet I don’t feel emotionally scarred for life from having a few sore backsides in my day. It really didn’t happen all that much as I was such a model child. (Ahem)

                “Lighthouse parents, according to Parents magazine, provide a stable source of guidance for their children — like a lighthouse — while also giving them the freedom to grow and learn. They are sturdy, reliable, but not controlling…”  Lighthouse parenting strikes me as closer to a different, healthier, biblical model. “Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.” (Colossians 3: 2- 21.NLT) This style is implied in Jesus’ open invitation, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.”  (Mark 10:14) And despite its occasional emphasis on the use of the rod, Proverbs is not advocating child brutality or cruelty: “Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.” (Proverbs 13:24) Love is the guiding principle for how we relate, teach, guide and prepare our children for their lives.

                “The lighthouse method is a balanced approach, and develops emotionally healthy children and adolescents ‘who go on to have deep, enduring relationships with their parents for their entire lifetime,’ says U.S. pediatrician Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg.” “Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children.” (Proverbs 17:6) Just as a lighthouse is a beacon for safe harbor, a light which shows the way, reveals the rocks and dangerous waters, lighthouse parents, Dr. Ginsberg wrote, are "a stable force on the shoreline by which a child can measure themselves against." Another expert was quoted as saying, "A lighthouse's whole purpose is to guide,"

 I would have to do a lot more research and reading to be able to fill out the details of lighthouse parenting.  But I can imagine that it involves good, positive, moral role modeling. “The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.” (Proverbs 20:7) It would seem to imply that parents are to be supportive, understanding, patient and yet provide clear expectations and behavioural, ethical standards. Therefore, there needs to be clear communication, but also very good listening, understanding and appreciation for what our children may be going through or experiencing. Parenting can be tough but so can being a child or a teenager. Most of all it means to parent with love, compassion and grace. Ideally, for me, it would mean to give spiritual nurture, to open up the sacred side of living, not to indoctrinate but to challenge a child to see the world beyond themselves in creative, holistic terms. Even, we grandparents can act as lighthouses for our grandchildren. 

Or as Jesus said, “No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.” (Matthew 5:15) Our families need all the light they can find in today’s world.

Dale

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.  And you know the way to where I am going.” “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the father except through me.  If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” (John 14: 1 -7, New Living Translation)

                If Jesus is really the answer, what is the question?

                It probably depends on whom you ask or when you ask it and why you’re asking it.

                There is an old, hoary joke about two six-year-olds whose class is being asked by their Sunday School teacher, “What is furry, gathers nuts and has a long, bushy tail?” The one child said to the other, “I think it’s a squirrel, but I bet you the answer is Jesus.”

                “Jesus is the answer” can be a far too glib, simplistic, generalized answer to what goes in our lives. Not that it isn’t true but the way some people use the phrase, it can become superficial. It can whitewash the challenges, the trials and tribulations we endure. It can sound too facile in the face of loss, suffering and failure. Believers may understand better because they are steeped in the Church, but others who have no faith foundation may turn a deaf ear because of their lack of experience and therefore appreciation for the depth of its meaning. But even we. Christians, can sound like Thomas, “No, we don’t know, Lord.” There is some existential honesty in Thomas that might resonate. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

                “Knowing the Lord,” as a lady said to me today when she learned I was a minister and boasted how all her family “knew the Lord,” is crucial to our faith.  Her husband had been a minster as are most of her sons and a few other relatives. My family is rife with minsters as well. I envy her success rate as to the faith of her children. “Knowing the Lord” is not just for pastors and minsters but are words that should strike a spark in anyone and everyone. Then there are a few who claim to know the Lord, but certainly don’t act like it.

                Thomas knew Jesus personally and had watched him at work, at prayer, at miracles, at teaching sessions. Yet Thomas always appears as a natural doubter, somewhat of a skeptic, a prove-it-to-me kind of guy. Words alone never sufficed. He wanted to see for himself and experience firsthand what and who the Lord was. Our relationship with Jesus begins in what we observe about him, hear him say, watch him do, picture him as he is in the Gospels.  This relationship leads to more questions but it is a start.

                Jesus helps Thomas with the teaching that “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Three short words that say so much. Seeing Jesus as the Son of God resonates through those words. Our relationship with Jesus leads us through all of  life’s journey. His truth gives us insight, hope, counsel, encouragement, strength, and inspiration. His life instructs us on how to live, to love, to be, to care, to forgive, to bless.

                We are getting into deeper waters now when we say “Jesus is the answer.” There is another step to take that brings those ties with him closer and tighter. “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So, I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”  (Galatians 2:20) We have a religious idiom for this, too: “saved by grace.”  But what it means is that we entered this mysterious, sacred relationship with faith, confidence and assurance that no matter what, no matter the question or the questions, we are never alone, never forsaken, never without hope, never without God’s Love. “From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”

                It is perfectly okay to have questions and doubts and questions about Jesus. I expect there are a few occasions when he has his doubts about us. Maybe even, the more questions, the deeper one’s faith will grow. New insights. New understanding. New experiences. Only as we practice Jesus’ Way, Truth and Life, do we begin to answer some if not all the questions. It is a lifetime journey. “But I have no regrets. I couldn’t be more sure of my ground—the One I’ve trusted in can take care of what he’s trusted me to do right to the end.” (2 Timothy 1: 12, The Message Bible)

                The squirrel was the right answer. Jesus is the perfect answer!

 

Dale

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love. We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First, we were loved, now we love. He loved us first. If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both.  (1 John 4: 17 -21, The Message Bible)

                 My brother, Wayne, turns 80-years-old tomorrow. I’ll save the “getting old” jokes for his party on Saturday. Although, I think he reads this stuff, sometimes, and maybe I should use a larger print font our of respect for the elderly.

                In truth, my brother has been a significant influence in my life.  I am sure that we may have fought as most siblings do, but that is not the part I remember best. What I remember most appreciatively was and still is his constant encouragement and support. Especially during my teen years, he was the one I would turn to for advice and guidance.  During my high school years, I recall how many of my friends would rant and rave about their brothers or sisters, seemingly on the verge of hating them. It was so foreign to me as I deeply valued both my older sister and brother. Wayne was the one who welcomed and included me in his life in so many meaningful ways. For sure, he played an important and inspiring role in my decision to go into ministry. As the old song goes, he ain’t heavy, he’s my brother. And I am blessed and grateful for him. But don’t tell him I said so.

                Actually, we should be more active and vocal about the love we have for our family, friends and fellow believers in our communities of faith. We are living in a world that seems too full of hate, animosity, violence, brokenness and seething dislike of others. There is too little tolerance, forgiveness, respect, acceptance, forbearance, understanding and encouragement for one another, never mind love. We seem to isolate ourselves from one another, divorce ourselves from each other, seclude ourselves from those who are different, i.e. not like you or me. Be it in family life, school life, church life, politics or on a world stage, love gets a short shrift. Too many are “not yet fully formed in love.”

                Yes, love is an overused and overworked word, hard to define exactly and elusive. But to live without love is indeed crippling. All of us need love and deserved to be loved. The Good News is that we are all loved, first by God as demonstrated in the person of Jesus Christ. We have been given a model of love in the Word made flesh, Jesus. “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.” (John 13: 34 -35, TMB)

                As a seminary student, I spent a summer as a chaplain at a correctional center for juvenile offenders. I led Wednesday chapels which were compulsory for the youth. Early on, I used the 1 Corinthians 13 chapter on love as my text.  After my “brilliant” discourse of what Love is, a young boy stood and yelled out that he was tired of always hearing about love at chapel services. He thought it was a bunch of baloney. When people lead lives without much, if any, love, it is easy to become cynical, bitter and doubtful.

                Which is to say, that love without actions, works and deeds ends up as a bunch of cliches and tired old love songs. “Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (James 2:8, New Living translation) This love is tangible, personal, generous, abundant, and even sacrificial, at times. The Gospel Love is expressed by what we do, say and practice. We are to love one another, as brothers and sisters, both literally and figuratively.

                These words are as true as ever. “Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, doesn’t have a swelled head, doesn’t force itself on others, isn’t always ‘me first,’ doesn’t fly off the handle, doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, doesn’t revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end.”  (1 Corinthians 13: 5-7, TMB)

                Happy birthday, Bro!

Dale

 Wednesday, September 4, 2024

“Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, “Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!” and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?”  (James 2: 15 – 17, The Message Bible)

                 Pardon me while I rant for a bit, even though it is probably spitting in the wind. Perhaps, you will disagree and that’s OK.

                On the weekend, Joey Chestnut crammed 83 hot dogs and buns down his gullet in a mere ten minutes. Apparently, it is a world record – whoopee-doo! His opponent could only scarf down a mere 66 hot dogs. Mind you, I am full after just two hot dogs, so if you are impressed by such things, be my guest.  

Here is my rant. For one thing, it looks absolutely disgusting to see a man stuff hot dog after hot dog into his mouth, barely chewing, cheeks bulging, food falling out of his mouth.  Gluttony is one of seven deadly sins and this seems to be a perfect example of piggishness – excess in eating and drinking for pleasure and profit.

But what really offends me more is that we live in a day and age where food security is a very real thing. This gluttonous display of hot dog eating is a wasteful exhibition of self-indulgence in the face of the real and imminent hunger issues in our world. People all over the world are living in famine; hundreds of thousands don’t have enough to eat. Children are starving. Even here in Canada, food banks are over-taxed and running out of food. Some folk have to choose between paying rent or buying food. We run breakfast programs for school children. We live in a land of plenty but there are families who go without food everyday and would welcome a few hot dogs.  Over 900 million tons of food is thrown away every year. A third of all food for human use is lost or wasted. This hot dog eating contest, despite its good intentions as something light-hearted and fun, comes across to me as a mockery and scorn for what is a very serious issue, that of hunger and food security. It is symbolic of our wastefulness, greed and selfishness.

I get it - if you canceled this event tomorrow, it won’t feed one single person in the Sudan, for example. Perhaps, the promoters of this nonsense could, at least, make some real contributions to a local food bank. That is what the food vendors at the recent Canadian National Exhibition did. After the CNE was over on Monday, many food vendors donated all their extra, unused provisions to Second Harvest, a Toronto food bank. Over 25,000 tons of food was gathered and donated. Now that is newsworthy and praiseworthy!

James, the epistle writer, shoves a different truth down our throats, it takes more than good intentions to feed someone. It takes our personal initiative, generosity and action to be involved in our response to hunger. Even this blog becomes meaningless without my action or unless I spur my readers into action. When I was lead pastor at Murray St, Baptist Church, we had several meal programmes, Sunday breakfasts, a monthly hot supper, food vouchers and meals for those we sheltered on a cold winter’s night. I take no credit for it. We had an army of volunteers who saw this is a way of making a difference, as an expression of their faith.

James is echoing that well-known and oft-used parable in Matthew’s gospel. “I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.” (Matthew 25: 35 -36, New Living Translation) When asked how that was possible, Jesus replies, “I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.” (v.40)

Or this: “Go out into the busiest intersections in town and invite anyone you find to the banquet.’ The servants went out on the streets and rounded up everyone they laid eyes on, good and bad, regardless. And so the banquet was on—every place filled.”  (Matthew 22: 8 -10)

Please, just pass the mustard and relish to all those who are sitting at the table!

Dale