It Started with a Name
An older friend has been meeting weekly with a young man for over four years. They initially met when the younger was bussing tables at a local cafe and a quite close friendship grew over time. They both are apprenticing to Jesus and while they are separated by decades and backgrounds, the two act like brothers.
The younger man now owns his own business, has a family, and lives a quiet life. A few years ago, he fled his Central American country after he was brutalized for opposing the socialist government. He applied for residency in the US and checks in monthly with authorities. On Sunday, 1/26, he was swept up in an ICE action and almost no word has come from him since then. As you can imagine, all involved are full of questions and plenty of fear.
On the other end of our county, a young woman lives out in the camps off East Antler in Redmond. She is bright and greets me warmly when the Share Van from the Shepherd’s House rolls up on Fridays. One day last fall I asked her how she ended up homeless, she simply said, “Al, you don’t get it. I was born here.” She is clear-eyed and, to me, seems to have what it takes to move out of her situation, but there she lives. I’ve not seen her the last couple of trips out there and naturally wonder/worry for her welfare.
I don’t pretend to have the answer to the immigration mess on our hands, and smarter folks than me fail regularly trying to solve the problems of those living rough. It may be a dodge, but I file all that in the folder marked, Above My Pay Grade. But that in no way absolves me of taking action where I can.
When I read what Jesus said in Matthew 25, and if I don’t quickly gloss over it or spiritualize it away, the message is not unlike an awaking slap in the face of my tidy, proper life. Listen to him take a hammer to preconceptions.
Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.
Then the righteous ones will reply, “Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you a drink? Or a stranger and show hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?
And the King will say, “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!”
Jesus goes on with the story and turns to the others who refused to help hurting people. When they protest they never saw the King in need, he concludes with a staggering condemnation.
I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.
So, on the macro level, I’m powerless. However, on the micro level, where my life choices intersect with need, I can do my part, one bit at a time. And it is at those intersections where I am changed, as well.
An overlooked word in the last line of the first passage above is “one.” Just one. Maybe the one who is in your way, or who doesn’t speak your language, or has made a mess of their life so far, or any one of the least among us. You and I are not called to solve huge problems, but just maybe be the one to help the one. The words of Jesus sure sound like that is important to him.
And it simply starts with a name.
The young man, now in custody, is known and loved by his older friend. Their story began with an introduction that led to a re-telling of life journeys, then a sharing from the heart that has lasted years. And it began with not seeing just an immigrant, but a person with a name.
My young friend in the camps was, at first, painfully shy, but something changed when she offered and I remembered to use her name. Using a person’s name is a small honor to them. That person is seen and valued. A little at a time using her name led the way to hearing of dreams and plans in the face of an uncertain future, and it all started with a name.
It’s all too easy for me to just see “them” and walk on by. Getting involved is messy and probably more than you want to venture into, but it’s worthwhile to ask, what can I do? I’m growing more comfortable asking that question of God and then shutting up long enough to just possibly hear an answer that gives a direction.
And there is a crazy twist at the end of the Jesus story when he says that when we help or visit or feed or clothe, we actually are doing them to FatherSonSpirit. It’s almost like God is cleverly disguised as those overlooked by most of us, me included.
Please understand, I have miles to go in the “loving others as myself” category. I readily judge. I assume storylines that probably have little truth in them. But I want to get better at this whole thing, and I bet you do too.
Last week, a friend sent a worthwhile note.
God has called us to minister to a suffering world. We must make a priority of asking God to show us where people are hurting so we can serve them in whatever way we can. We don’t have to go looking for those with needs. They’re all around us. We can’t help everyone, but we can help someone.
Pray today and ask God to lead you to someone you can serve in their time of need.
That’s a good thought for any of us because we are in this together. And it might begin with a name.
Good music is always welcome…
FunnieFunniesFunnies
The student asked the professor how many problems there would be on the final exam.
The professor looked the student over and replied, "I think you will have lots of problems on the final."
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TOP 10 THINGS OVERHEARD ON THE ARK
10. "Did anyone think about bringing a couple of umbrellas?"
9. "Hey, there are more than two flies in here!"
8. "Wasn't someone supposed to put two shovels on board?"
7. "Okay, who's the wise guy who brought the mosquitoes on board?!"
6. "Help! I need some Pepto for the elephants, QUICK!"
5. "Don't make me pull this ark over and come back there!"
4. "No Ham, you cannot eat the pig!"
3. "And whatever you do, DO NOT pull this plug out."
2. "Nice doggie..."
1. "Are we there yet?"