Have you seen this: http://www.covchurch.org/cov/news/item6502?
The only bad thing is that the story does not tell what happened after the celebration weekend was completed. This is one of those pastoral moments that sometimes do not make sense. On Monday I was hoping for a fairly easy day, but it was not to be as I was called to the hospital. On my way home I could not help but think why the joy of the celebration could not last a little longer and why things had to get so serious so fast.
On Tuesday's I am part of a text study group and one of the texts for last week was Elijah's encounter with God on Mount Horeb. Part of Elijah's defense of being on the mountain was that he got rid of a lot of the Baal worshipers and that his zealousness for God played a part in that. Sometimes our zealousness takes over and we forget to rely on God. I was proud of what we celebrated that weekend, but it got in the way of what I am called to do.
As God spoke to Elijah in the silence, God began to speak to me in the silence of the car ride back home on Tuesday and through my preparations. God reminded me of why Bethlehem Covenant has been around for 125 years. Not to have a party, not even to reminisce about the past, but to reach out and to care for those who are a part of our church. God also reminded me of why I was called to ministry and that is to care and to be with those who are in need. While there is a time to celebrate; caring for those in our midst never takes a day off.
And there you have the, "Rest of the Story."
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
The Football (Un)Star
Over the last several weeks there has been a drama playing in Green Bay. It has to do with a single person fighting a big corporation. The only difference is one wants things the way they were, the other wants to move on. Of course I am talking about the Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers. Back in March Brett said that he was moving on and retiring and he said that several times since, until a few weeks ago when he said that he wants to come back. This headline has completely dominated the news here it does not matter that a tornado occurred the day before, the headline was Brett Favre. It did not matter that the fire chief of a small town that had been on the job since before Brett Favre was even thought of was being mourned by a town that loved him. No body cares about the real news.
This whole story does not make sense to me. This act is not about being a good quarterback, it is not about the Packers, it is not about his accomplishments, it is definitely not about the fans (Which Brett and the news try to make it out to be). No, this act is about Brett Favre wanting his own way. I do not understand the madness that is going on with petitions from as far away as Chicago (I hope the Bears find that man!). I do not understand the weekly protests at Lambeau field. I do not understand this because Brett said he retired. All of a sudden he wants to play again and have his old job back and have everything back to the way it was last year. Why should he be allowed to come back? Why should he get his way? Why should a team go back to paying him his salary? After all he is saving the team money now that he is retired.
If I had 5 minutes with Brett, I would ask him to think about a few things: 1) A good leader always prepares the way for the future. I don't think that there is any doubt as to the impact that Brett had on the team. The Packers have said that they are moving on with a new quarterback. Brett should be proud of the fact that he helped to break in the new quarterback. In college a professor said, "The best test for any leader is to see what happens when there is a change in leadership." 2) What will coming back to the Packers accomplish? What accolade is there still to get? Like all of us, he is not getting any younger, this year could be just a big disaster even worse he could get seriously hurt, hurt to the point where he could be confined to a wheel chair for the rest of his life. I would think that leaving at the top of one's game is more important! 3) What kind of an impression is he leaving on those who are following this drama/farce? Right now I have even less respect for him then I did last year, and I am a Vikings fan! He is telling the kids and even the grown-ups that you can get your own way if you make a big stink. I would think that with all of the organizations that he has supported and the things that he has done for charity that he would have some respect for the people who would be following such a situation. He is leaving a bad impression, which unfortunately people like me have to deal with in our Sunday sermons.
I think that it is high time that Brett get his 3 time MVP head on straight and think about what he is doing not only to himself, but to the fans of the Packers, and the to the team itself. I know of no organization that would bring back somebody after retiring. I hope that it does not begin with the NFL!
This whole story does not make sense to me. This act is not about being a good quarterback, it is not about the Packers, it is not about his accomplishments, it is definitely not about the fans (Which Brett and the news try to make it out to be). No, this act is about Brett Favre wanting his own way. I do not understand the madness that is going on with petitions from as far away as Chicago (I hope the Bears find that man!). I do not understand the weekly protests at Lambeau field. I do not understand this because Brett said he retired. All of a sudden he wants to play again and have his old job back and have everything back to the way it was last year. Why should he be allowed to come back? Why should he get his way? Why should a team go back to paying him his salary? After all he is saving the team money now that he is retired.
If I had 5 minutes with Brett, I would ask him to think about a few things: 1) A good leader always prepares the way for the future. I don't think that there is any doubt as to the impact that Brett had on the team. The Packers have said that they are moving on with a new quarterback. Brett should be proud of the fact that he helped to break in the new quarterback. In college a professor said, "The best test for any leader is to see what happens when there is a change in leadership." 2) What will coming back to the Packers accomplish? What accolade is there still to get? Like all of us, he is not getting any younger, this year could be just a big disaster even worse he could get seriously hurt, hurt to the point where he could be confined to a wheel chair for the rest of his life. I would think that leaving at the top of one's game is more important! 3) What kind of an impression is he leaving on those who are following this drama/farce? Right now I have even less respect for him then I did last year, and I am a Vikings fan! He is telling the kids and even the grown-ups that you can get your own way if you make a big stink. I would think that with all of the organizations that he has supported and the things that he has done for charity that he would have some respect for the people who would be following such a situation. He is leaving a bad impression, which unfortunately people like me have to deal with in our Sunday sermons.
I think that it is high time that Brett get his 3 time MVP head on straight and think about what he is doing not only to himself, but to the fans of the Packers, and the to the team itself. I know of no organization that would bring back somebody after retiring. I hope that it does not begin with the NFL!
Friday, July 04, 2008
Yoked Freedom
Today is the 4th of July. The day when we celebrate our nation's independence from Britain. 232 years ago the Declaration of Independence was signed that gave way for our freedom to live without worry about political tyranny. I think of my ancestors who came from Poland, Germany, and Russia at times like these. I try to imagine what it must have been like to go into Ellis Island, past the Statue of Liberty with it's motto:
"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
What an interesting picture of what life in America must be like to those who live where there are problems and no such thing as freedom. However, whether you agree with this statement or whether you think we have done or not done what these words talk about; there is an interesting correlation to this upcoming Sunday's Gospel lesson from Matthew 11:16-30 and specifically verses 28 through 30. (By the way, these words come before the words inscribed on the Statue of Liberty! In time and in truth.)
"Come to me, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me;
for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Vaguely familiar?! How great it is to know that Jesus said that if we become yoked to him he will help us carry our burdens and help us gain strength if we would just come to him. What a simple command! Just come! Here you will find freedom from your worries, from worries about money, health, and the likes that so easily entangle us. Because Jesus carried the yoke of the cross which was weighed down with the sin of the whole world and because that burden could not keep him down; he is able to make this claim and this claim is freeing. True freedom indeed!
On this 4th of July let us not think just of the freedoms that we share as citizens of this country, but let us also think of the freedom that Christ gives to us. Perhaps you need freedom today, come to the Savior. Take his yoke upon you and you find rest and a lifting of burdens.
Have a happy and safe and free 4th of July!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
One Less New Thing
It's one of those things that I have been wondering about. When will I get "the" phone call. It's funny how things in ministry go. One day I am thinking about how things are going and the next day life is turned upside down.
On Tuesday morning, after 9 & 1/2 months, I got "the" phone call. It was from the local funeral home telling me that a member of the church who had lived in Wisconsin died that morning. Immediately I knew that my week would not be normal--as if any week in ministry is normal. Nonetheless nothing else mattered at that point. I wanted to get Sunday taken care of as quickly as possible, so that I could devote myself to preparing for my first funeral. Fortunately they had asked a retired Covenant pastor to preach, so I was glad that I would not be alone. As the week went on I kept on preparing for the funeral on top of my other duties.
Friday came and the siblings and I we were able to finally hash out the bulletin. Their mother, his wife was unable to attend due to severe illness. Friday afternoon came and I went to the funeral home for the visitation. I recalled the only face to face visit that I had with him. It was last fall at a family reunion for those who came from the family of the second pastor. He was there and we were talking about the church and life back when he was here. How he and his wife were married in the living room of the parsonage, the same parsonage that I now reside in. That was one story that was told over the weekend. I forgot about this, but someone had taken a picture of me, him, and another friend. That picture was on a display board. I corresponded with him over Christmas and then either Easter Saturday or the following Saturday he called to ask how I was doing; from what I recalled of our phone conversation. Despite death there was a peace knowing that he was now in heaven in the presence of Jesus.
At the visitation there were the military honors and then I spoke from Psalm 130 and how that Psalm speaks to both our life when we come to faith and how it speaks to the end of life and the hope that we have.
It was great to meet the children, I met one son-in-law at the reunion, but I got to meet the others, his two adopted children, and his two grandchildren. One was just 8 months old. The other was 4 & 1/2 years old. A hand full, but in a good way. It was refreshing to hear him talk and ask questions. Nothing was sugar coated for this child, but honest; maybe too brutally honest.
Saturday morning arrived and it started out beautiful, the sun was out and it was warming up. I was at church a little after 8 am. The funeral home arrived and set up. The service began and unlike at my first wedding where I lost my voice, I did not lose it this time. I led a majority of the service. As I looked up at one point I noticed it getting cloudy. Soon the service was over and we were walking in procession to the back where the cemetery is. As we got out of the church I turned to the other pastor and said, "Oh, oh." There were dark clouds to the north and east. As we started the committal the wind picked up a few rain drops, a little thunder, a lightning bolt. As we sang, "How Great Thou Art," it started to rain and then there was thunder and lightning, right as we sang, "I hear the rolling thunder."
One less new thing. I was honored to be a part of this funeral, my first funeral, even though I did not know him very well. Funerals, for Christians, are about hope about knowing that at the end of life on earth is the beginning of life in heaven. While my week ended up being a little bit different then I expected, this was a disruption that I needed to remind me of why God has called me into ministry.
On Tuesday morning, after 9 & 1/2 months, I got "the" phone call. It was from the local funeral home telling me that a member of the church who had lived in Wisconsin died that morning. Immediately I knew that my week would not be normal--as if any week in ministry is normal. Nonetheless nothing else mattered at that point. I wanted to get Sunday taken care of as quickly as possible, so that I could devote myself to preparing for my first funeral. Fortunately they had asked a retired Covenant pastor to preach, so I was glad that I would not be alone. As the week went on I kept on preparing for the funeral on top of my other duties.
Friday came and the siblings and I we were able to finally hash out the bulletin. Their mother, his wife was unable to attend due to severe illness. Friday afternoon came and I went to the funeral home for the visitation. I recalled the only face to face visit that I had with him. It was last fall at a family reunion for those who came from the family of the second pastor. He was there and we were talking about the church and life back when he was here. How he and his wife were married in the living room of the parsonage, the same parsonage that I now reside in. That was one story that was told over the weekend. I forgot about this, but someone had taken a picture of me, him, and another friend. That picture was on a display board. I corresponded with him over Christmas and then either Easter Saturday or the following Saturday he called to ask how I was doing; from what I recalled of our phone conversation. Despite death there was a peace knowing that he was now in heaven in the presence of Jesus.
At the visitation there were the military honors and then I spoke from Psalm 130 and how that Psalm speaks to both our life when we come to faith and how it speaks to the end of life and the hope that we have.
It was great to meet the children, I met one son-in-law at the reunion, but I got to meet the others, his two adopted children, and his two grandchildren. One was just 8 months old. The other was 4 & 1/2 years old. A hand full, but in a good way. It was refreshing to hear him talk and ask questions. Nothing was sugar coated for this child, but honest; maybe too brutally honest.
Saturday morning arrived and it started out beautiful, the sun was out and it was warming up. I was at church a little after 8 am. The funeral home arrived and set up. The service began and unlike at my first wedding where I lost my voice, I did not lose it this time. I led a majority of the service. As I looked up at one point I noticed it getting cloudy. Soon the service was over and we were walking in procession to the back where the cemetery is. As we got out of the church I turned to the other pastor and said, "Oh, oh." There were dark clouds to the north and east. As we started the committal the wind picked up a few rain drops, a little thunder, a lightning bolt. As we sang, "How Great Thou Art," it started to rain and then there was thunder and lightning, right as we sang, "I hear the rolling thunder."
One less new thing. I was honored to be a part of this funeral, my first funeral, even though I did not know him very well. Funerals, for Christians, are about hope about knowing that at the end of life on earth is the beginning of life in heaven. While my week ended up being a little bit different then I expected, this was a disruption that I needed to remind me of why God has called me into ministry.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Ours or God's
Today is Earth Day or Creation Care Day or whatever term you would like to use. Do we have a duty to take care of the earth or is it something that we can use to our heart's content? The classic biblical text relating to taking care of the earth is from Genesis 1:28, "God blessed them [humans], and God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.'" God has given us this earth, this creation, to use and to make use of. In fact God says as much in the next 2 verses where there is a list of all that God has given to us. What these verses do not talk about is exploiting the earth and using all that there is to our own benefit in the here and now not leaving anything for the next generation. Just like everything else in life we must be careful stewards of this earth.
"Going green" has been a popular phrase over the last couple of years. I am continually amazed at watching "This Old House" on television and seeing what new and innovative ways there are in thinking about environmentally friendly building. The movement has come from just basic recycling programs to dual flush toilets to compact fluorescent light bulbs. Everybody seems to be riding this bandwagon: Governments, politicians, would-be-presidents, and on and on it goes. While a lot has been focused on energy consumption and pollution, what we do with things such as wood makes a big difference too.
In the last two issues of the journal of the American Association of Woodturners, "American Woodturner," there has been a two part series on the finding out where the wood that is used in wood turning, which is generally exotic, comes from and whether or not it is of an endangered species. I must confess that prior to reading the article I did not really think about it. If I saw a piece of wood in a store that I liked, and if I had the money, I bought it. The article points out that there are several types of wood that are on the brink of extinction. Perhaps the line of use and exploitation has been crossed.
Last week I ran across a poorly produced program from the BBC (The only reason I give it poor remarks is that they featured Minneapolis in the program and also my hometown and a few other suburbs that I know about in this ridiculous soap opera type story that was more about the story then it was about facts. The story was about what happens when there is no more oil, very few facts mostly story). The credible sources say that in 2016, at the current rate of consumption, the world will run out of oil. Now I do not know whether or not this is true, but what about the things that we are trying to do. Still the question to be raised is: What is our duty towards the use of oil and other natural fuels? Has the line been crossed between exploitation and responsible use?
While the debate is ongoing between exploitation and responsibility, I think that we do need to be careful with how we use these resources that God has given to us. God commanded humanity to use carefully the resources of earth, to treat the world with respect--after all God did create the world, just as God created us and so as God takes care of us, so must we take care of the earth. There is a warning here as well. We must be careful to not worship creation which is what can happen when we misplace the value of the earth over God. Urgency and correction are necessary just as when a person breaks an arm or a leg, but when the focus is so great that the big picture is lost then it is a whole different story. If someone will not buy anything made of paper because they want to save a tree then that is wrong. Forests need to be weeded out every now and then, growth cut down in a responsible manner--we all know what happens when responsible thinning of the forests does not happen.
As we come closer to God, God shows us how to be responsible, not only in our lives, but even with how we care for the earth. I have always been big on recycling--since elementary school at least and that is one step that we can all take. Being careful with how we drive, not a bunch of small trips when one or two things are needed, but instead when there is enough to make a trip worthwhile. Being careful with the amount of electricity and the water we use is also being responsible. God put us here on earth to serve and worship, to come to faith in Jesus Christ; but also gave us the world to use and to be responsible with--not to make it a slave.
"Going green" has been a popular phrase over the last couple of years. I am continually amazed at watching "This Old House" on television and seeing what new and innovative ways there are in thinking about environmentally friendly building. The movement has come from just basic recycling programs to dual flush toilets to compact fluorescent light bulbs. Everybody seems to be riding this bandwagon: Governments, politicians, would-be-presidents, and on and on it goes. While a lot has been focused on energy consumption and pollution, what we do with things such as wood makes a big difference too.
In the last two issues of the journal of the American Association of Woodturners, "American Woodturner," there has been a two part series on the finding out where the wood that is used in wood turning, which is generally exotic, comes from and whether or not it is of an endangered species. I must confess that prior to reading the article I did not really think about it. If I saw a piece of wood in a store that I liked, and if I had the money, I bought it. The article points out that there are several types of wood that are on the brink of extinction. Perhaps the line of use and exploitation has been crossed.
Last week I ran across a poorly produced program from the BBC (The only reason I give it poor remarks is that they featured Minneapolis in the program and also my hometown and a few other suburbs that I know about in this ridiculous soap opera type story that was more about the story then it was about facts. The story was about what happens when there is no more oil, very few facts mostly story). The credible sources say that in 2016, at the current rate of consumption, the world will run out of oil. Now I do not know whether or not this is true, but what about the things that we are trying to do. Still the question to be raised is: What is our duty towards the use of oil and other natural fuels? Has the line been crossed between exploitation and responsible use?
While the debate is ongoing between exploitation and responsibility, I think that we do need to be careful with how we use these resources that God has given to us. God commanded humanity to use carefully the resources of earth, to treat the world with respect--after all God did create the world, just as God created us and so as God takes care of us, so must we take care of the earth. There is a warning here as well. We must be careful to not worship creation which is what can happen when we misplace the value of the earth over God. Urgency and correction are necessary just as when a person breaks an arm or a leg, but when the focus is so great that the big picture is lost then it is a whole different story. If someone will not buy anything made of paper because they want to save a tree then that is wrong. Forests need to be weeded out every now and then, growth cut down in a responsible manner--we all know what happens when responsible thinning of the forests does not happen.
As we come closer to God, God shows us how to be responsible, not only in our lives, but even with how we care for the earth. I have always been big on recycling--since elementary school at least and that is one step that we can all take. Being careful with how we drive, not a bunch of small trips when one or two things are needed, but instead when there is enough to make a trip worthwhile. Being careful with the amount of electricity and the water we use is also being responsible. God put us here on earth to serve and worship, to come to faith in Jesus Christ; but also gave us the world to use and to be responsible with--not to make it a slave.
Friday, April 11, 2008
A 20 Year Anniversary
This past Monday, April 7, 2008, marked the 20th anniversary of the first death that I ever experienced. It also was the first death of someone very close to me. On April 7, 1988; my grandma, Marion Stonina entered eternal life. It seems to me that she died during the night and that it was near the end of the week, but I do not remember for sure. I did not know my grandpa on my dad's side of the family, so my only connection with my dad and aunt's mom and dad was through my grandma--obviously.
Over the last few weeks I have been reflecting on those 20 years. How much has changed in our family, our nation, and our world. We have endured in this time violence that we never thought would come upon our shores as a nation: Rise in school shootings, Oklahoma City, 9-11, etc. Our world has come ever closer together with the advent of the Internet, and global communication and cell phones.
But as I look over these last 20 years I think about the changes in our family. Both me and my sister graduated from high school. I got a degree from Northwestern College in Pastoral Studies. I graduated from North Park Theological Seminary, and I am now a pastor in Michigan. My sister has gotten married and has 2 boys with a baby on the way. We have learned to drive. We have had our first jobs, made our first paychecks, and moved away from home. Since grandma's death we have had to gather as a family for several other deaths, including one of her sisters who died last August.
But there are also many good times to think about as well. I remember a grandma who put on a spread at Easter and Christmas and Thanksgiving that rivals anything our family does now. I especially remember the cookies and the rosettes at Christmas. Grandma's house was always fun to go to at Christmas. I know of no one that decorated their Christmas tree so full that you could not even tell that it was a tree. There were also those times that I remember during other times of the year as well. Going to grandma's house was a treat and something special. It was fun and even though she could not play hopscotch or run around the yard with my sister and me (she lost a leg when it was severed by a train when she was little) she was still fun to be around. Every once in a while I still hear her voice.
I know she was committed to Christ, because who else, as the story is told, could convince her Roman Catholic priest to do the wedding of my dad and my Mennonite mom. She was committed to Christ in other ways as well. I remember going into her bedroom, which was just off the kitchen, and seeing the crucifix on the wall, last year's palm branch neatly folded into some shape and the candle holders and the crucifix next her bed. On the wall at the foot of her bed were her pictures of her family--her children when they were young, a wedding picture, a family picture, and pictures of her grandchildren--which were displayed in many other places throughout the house as well. I like to think that there was a time in the evening and the morning, and perhaps at other times as well, that she would spend time in prayer and thus a silent witness to the Christ to whom she served.
I wish she had lived a little bit longer, so that she could have seen her grandchildren grow up a little more and to see her children grow up a little more; but our loss is heaven's gain and I know that for me I am thankful for the memories that I do have and that I did get to know her, for a little while.
Thank you God!
Over the last few weeks I have been reflecting on those 20 years. How much has changed in our family, our nation, and our world. We have endured in this time violence that we never thought would come upon our shores as a nation: Rise in school shootings, Oklahoma City, 9-11, etc. Our world has come ever closer together with the advent of the Internet, and global communication and cell phones.
But as I look over these last 20 years I think about the changes in our family. Both me and my sister graduated from high school. I got a degree from Northwestern College in Pastoral Studies. I graduated from North Park Theological Seminary, and I am now a pastor in Michigan. My sister has gotten married and has 2 boys with a baby on the way. We have learned to drive. We have had our first jobs, made our first paychecks, and moved away from home. Since grandma's death we have had to gather as a family for several other deaths, including one of her sisters who died last August.
But there are also many good times to think about as well. I remember a grandma who put on a spread at Easter and Christmas and Thanksgiving that rivals anything our family does now. I especially remember the cookies and the rosettes at Christmas. Grandma's house was always fun to go to at Christmas. I know of no one that decorated their Christmas tree so full that you could not even tell that it was a tree. There were also those times that I remember during other times of the year as well. Going to grandma's house was a treat and something special. It was fun and even though she could not play hopscotch or run around the yard with my sister and me (she lost a leg when it was severed by a train when she was little) she was still fun to be around. Every once in a while I still hear her voice.
I know she was committed to Christ, because who else, as the story is told, could convince her Roman Catholic priest to do the wedding of my dad and my Mennonite mom. She was committed to Christ in other ways as well. I remember going into her bedroom, which was just off the kitchen, and seeing the crucifix on the wall, last year's palm branch neatly folded into some shape and the candle holders and the crucifix next her bed. On the wall at the foot of her bed were her pictures of her family--her children when they were young, a wedding picture, a family picture, and pictures of her grandchildren--which were displayed in many other places throughout the house as well. I like to think that there was a time in the evening and the morning, and perhaps at other times as well, that she would spend time in prayer and thus a silent witness to the Christ to whom she served.
I wish she had lived a little bit longer, so that she could have seen her grandchildren grow up a little more and to see her children grow up a little more; but our loss is heaven's gain and I know that for me I am thankful for the memories that I do have and that I did get to know her, for a little while.
Thank you God!
How and When to Help
I knew that it would happen sooner or later. Although, to be honest I wish it would have happened later. This morning I got my first call for assistance. I listened to the woman's story, she did not need food for her baby, she only needed money to get back home. As I was listening to her story some things were not adding up and I became suspicious of the whole story; she told the story twice and it was a little bit different both times. I really want to give people the benefit of the doubt, I don't want to be putting off who have legitimate needs.
This goes back to that conundrum that we all face in life. Having lived in big cities all of my life; I became suspicious whenever anybody asked me for money. The thoughts start running through the mind: Are they a drug addict or an alcoholic who needs to get a fix? Do they want a hand out so they can go and gamble? Are they really in need, in the first place? Only once, while living in Chicago, did I run into a situation that I feel that I could really be of help. A woman approached me, while in downtown, crying and saying that she needed diapers for her baby. A Walgreen's happened to be nearby, but unfortunately at 5 or 6 on a Saturday evening, the store had already closed and not knowing downtown really well, I could not point her in a direction to help.
While we have all been confronted with this issue at some point in our lives, what guidelines do we use to make sure that we are helping someone? Every time I am approached with this subject I am reminded of the words of Jesus: "The poor you will always have among you." Jesus is saying to do good to them, to help them out. Jesus does not want the help himself because he says that he will not be with the hearers much longer. Are we to rely on our gut feeling when confronted with such issues? What are some others thoughts?
This goes back to that conundrum that we all face in life. Having lived in big cities all of my life; I became suspicious whenever anybody asked me for money. The thoughts start running through the mind: Are they a drug addict or an alcoholic who needs to get a fix? Do they want a hand out so they can go and gamble? Are they really in need, in the first place? Only once, while living in Chicago, did I run into a situation that I feel that I could really be of help. A woman approached me, while in downtown, crying and saying that she needed diapers for her baby. A Walgreen's happened to be nearby, but unfortunately at 5 or 6 on a Saturday evening, the store had already closed and not knowing downtown really well, I could not point her in a direction to help.
While we have all been confronted with this issue at some point in our lives, what guidelines do we use to make sure that we are helping someone? Every time I am approached with this subject I am reminded of the words of Jesus: "The poor you will always have among you." Jesus is saying to do good to them, to help them out. Jesus does not want the help himself because he says that he will not be with the hearers much longer. Are we to rely on our gut feeling when confronted with such issues? What are some others thoughts?
Friday, March 28, 2008
Update to Previous Post
In my last post on the Baptism of converts, I mentioned that I did not know if any of the others who were baptized last Saturday at the Easter Vigil had been previously baptized. As it turns out, from a well trusted source, they probably were not baptized previously because the Roman Catholic Church does not necessarily re-baptize those coming into the Church. Case in point, the source mentioned that there were 6 who were received into the Church, but only 3 baptisms. I just wanted to clear up any possible confusion.
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