Thought for Today
Psalm 72:12 For he delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper. 13 He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.
Proverbs 22:2 The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord is the maker of them all.
Matthew 25:40 And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' . . . 45 Then he will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.'
Currently, our country is experiencing 2 violent, disastrous weather-related phenomena. On the Pacific coast in California there are multiple fires ravaging neighborhoods and forcing many to evacuate and others to watch in anxiety for their turn to come. From the mid-continent eastward, much of the nation is locked in a bitter winter storm. Snow is falling as far south as Texas. Roads are closed, airports, schools and most services are closed. Many residents are left to shiver in the dark, frigid cold. Both events are causing loss of life, destruction of property and massive disruption to life and commerce.
Greta and I have thought about all of this and prayed about this week as our grandchildren returned to college. We thought and prayed even more yesterday as we became aware that some members of our extended family have been forced to evacuate their homes. Members of my family and of Greta’s family live in the greater Los Angeles region. Greta spoke with her sister-in-law who lives south of LA. We heard about my sister’s family who live north of LA.
It is one thing to view these sorts of things on television. It is something entirely different when friends or family are affected by them. Anxiety, loss of property or life, disruption of daily life or commerce all can be somewhat remote when viewed dispassionately on television. When it strikes close to home, it becomes much more intimate.
One of the first things which always comes to mind when I ponder life-threatening events and major destruction or disruption is the need associated with such events. Most of us have either seen or been recipients of the work of first responders. I will never forget all of the stories we saw during the pandemic of people responding at risk to their own lives. I see the same thing right now as I watch all of those battling the fires in California. I see it also in those rescuing stranded motorists and others who have been in traffic accidents.
I was called to my current pulpit during the COVID pandemic. One of the things which most impressed me as I visited the church and talked to the people, was the First Parish Community Food Pantry. It is a mission of our church. When the sanctuary could not be used for in person worship, it became the storage and assembly area for all the work of that food pantry. Even more impressive to me was that the large group of volunteers includes members of the congregation, but also members of other faith communities and even those who are not believers.
The author of the devotional in These Days wrote today, “The psalmist declares that God has a special concern for the poor, the weak, and the needy.” I agree. However, I believe God also has a special concern for the wealthy, the strong and the self-sufficient. I believe God loves all of God’s children, regardless of economic status, position or place in society.
I believe the real lesson in the Parable of the King in Matthew is not in whether one is the doer or the recipient. God loves us all. God wants us all to love one another. The love God has for us and wants us to share together does involve mutual aid. Not just battling food insecurity; not just battling housing insecurity; not just battling any single issue. God expects us all to love and help each other. The “family” in Matthew 25 is the family of all God’s children. At one time or another, all of God’s children in one way or another become part of “the least of these who are members of my family.”
Our task, as children of God, each day and every day is to seek out the “the least of these who are members of my family” and find some way to help them. Through material aid, through spiritual aid, through prayer, however we can be of help.
Stay safe, find a way to help today, trust God,
Pastor Ray