REFLECTION FOR WEEK OF SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2022

Welcome to the community of faith, of Churchill United and Gilford United Churches, for the week of September 25, 2022. I am the new minister, Krista Moore, and I welcome you to this place!

Please join us next week in the sanctuary at Gilford at 9:30, or Churchill United church at 11:00 where we will celebrate communion. We would love to have you, and please stay for fellowship!

This week’s reflection is based on the Gospel message of the rich man and Lazarus from Luke 16:19-31. SERMON

Back when I was at Emmanuel College, I was chair of the student society, and I was responsible for organizing a large end of year celebration. It was March of 2020, moments before the Covid lockdown was announced. There were balloons and karaoke music, and so much food… we couldn’t even put a dent in it. Many people had already left, and some had decided to stay home, so we were trying to figure out what to do with all the food.

As we were packing up, I noticed a man standing quietly at the doorway. I could tell he wasn’t someone from Emmanuel – he was dressed poorly, and his hair was a bit disheveled. But he was respectful and just waiting there. One of my student friends Michael explained that he had invited him to come in, he was a friend of Sanctuary, a local charity for those experiencing homelessness and addiction in our city. Michael worked with him there and was always advocating for people like him on the streets. So Michael asked if this man might come in to get some food to bring back to his community. I thought for a split second, as the one responsible for the party, all the rules and safety restrictions of my university, to protect those inside. But this man didn’t seem to bother anyone.

I saw his humanity and went up to him and said, “Come on in, please help yourself there’s lots of food, take some containers so you can take some back with you.” He said thank you and came in and filled a few containers of food. I talked to him a bit, and then he left.

In Luke’s Gospel today, a similar man named Lazarus begs outside a rich man’s house. The poor man is waiting for any scraps the man might throw his way. But the rich man does not come out or give him any food or money. Truthfully, he doesn’t even notice him. He ignores him and goes on feasting inside his house day after day. Only the dogs come out to lick the man’s sores, reminding us that even dogs get scraps from under a table – and this poor man is being treated worse than a dog.

This must have been hard for some of Jesus’s listeners to hear. Maybe they identified with the poor man, or maybe they felt judged as the rich man. His followers knew Jesus cared about those less fortunate: he healed them and gave them what they asked for. He even touched lepers, those with open sores like the poor man in this story. Jesus totally broke all the rules and even hugged them. This shocked people who felt people such as this poor man were untouchable.

So in this story, the poor man dies, but so does the rich man. And everything changes. Everything is reversed. Now the poor man goes straight to heaven to be with God and Abraham, and the rich man goes straight to Hades, or hell, a place of torment. The rich man looks up and sees Lazarus in heaven and begs Abraham to send Lazarus down to give him some water because he is so thirsty he is burning up, but Abraham says no, I can’t. The rich man begs him again to send Lazarus on earth to his brothers who are still alive to warn them not to live as he did. Again, Abraham says no, I can’t do it. There is a divide between the two worlds now. You can’t go back. Lazarus cannot go where the rich man is. He’s protected by God. He is safe. It’s ironic because now the rich man is shut out, not by God, but because of his own greed and lack of mercy toward his brother. This is a parable of warning that reminds me of Jesus’s teaching, “the first shall be last and the last shall be first.” What we have now, we may not have later. Those who suffer now will be uplifted, and those who tout their wealth and show no mercy will have nothing to comfort them later.

So as the people were listening to this parable, it must have been very bad news for those who were wealthy or powerful! Can you imagine them squirming or grimacing at Jesus or throwing up their hands and walking away? They thought they were the righteous and powerful and must be guaranteed a good afterlife. But Jesus calls out their arrogance and shows that only the humble see God. Power and wealth don’t mean much in the spiritual realm. We make our choices while we’re alive. Jesus shocked them into seeing this new reality. God doesn’t see your wealth or status; God cares more about your heart.

We all know this intuitively. But this parable can still be hard to hear, depending on who we identify with in the story. Some of us may identify with the rich man who has a lot on his plate and enjoys the fruits of his labours when he returns home at the end of a long day. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying his wealth or comforts, is there? After all, he’s work hard, and he’s earned it.

As we enjoyed the end of year celebration, and all the food that was available, I felt suddenly embarrassed at the wealth we enjoyed, as this man approached who had nothing. It’s not that I felt we didn’t deserve it, but I felt so did he. And so we shared it. I know I am blessed, but I want others to feel blessed, too. Don’t we all deserve it?

We may also identify with or care for those who are experiencing hard times. This time of year is especially hard, as we approach Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons – the weather gets colder, food prices are higher, and some can’t afford to pay their bills or put food on the table.

Covid has also changed things. Some people lost loved ones, or lost their job; others experienced health issues, or are taking on more responsibilities than they are used to; some may have struggled with addictions or have been alienated or separated from their families or communities.

In the larger world, there is a food shortage and hunger crisis. War, mass migrations, hurricanes and other natural disasters can take people who once had it all and suddenly leave them homeless – totally dependent on strangers in a time of great crisis and uncertainty.

Our world hasn’t changed that much since the time of Jesus – he said himself there will always be struggles, and there will always be poor among you, but today it might be harder to tell who is struggling – they are not always like the poor man standing or lying at the gate – they could be friends or neighbours, people like you and me, and sometimes the problem lays hidden.

Back in the spring of 2021 when Covid kept us all inside, I had a cousin who struggled with addiction. He had a difficult time years back, he worked hard, but he got into trouble, and got into drugs. This affected his mental health. He made some bad choices, and one time he was even homeless, sheltering in somebody’s barn over winter. Then he had a bad car accident and was recovering in the hospital. My mom and I went to see him. He was so positive, despite what had happened, and we and other family members encouraged him and tried to help him get back on his feet. He had been so excited about turning his life around, and maybe even getting an education, finding a better job in construction. But then Covid separated us, and being at home too long alone, his addiction got worse. He died that spring shocking all of us. I know many of you have lost people like this in your families or communities. And our hearts break for such loss.

The truth is anyone can be vulnerable. I think of my cousin, and now whenever I see someone on the street or begging at the side of the road, I think, “That’s someone’s son or daughter. I bet their mother is so worried about them.” I even think, “God loves him. God please bless him.” Bad things can happen to good people. And sometimes people lose their way in life. But Jesus cares about those lost in the streets or hiding away out of sight. God loves each of us the same.

Jesus shows us the true value of the people in this parable. He shows us their spiritual value and worth. The one whom society judged as an outsider, a worthless beggar, was celebrated in heaven. And the one whom society thought was doing so well, a rich man, was corrupt inside because he showed no mercy or compassion, and so he lost everything.

The good news in this story is that God cares for everyone, especially those who are afflicted or oppressed. God cares about us.

Although this is still a difficult parable, it has hope for everyone of good will. Particularly Jesus’s followers. And that hope includes us.

Jesus preached the Gospel: he walked with sinners and the broken-hearted, those who are poor in spirit or material wealth. He also welcomed the tax collectors, and those who were wealthy, he didn’t discriminate, but he did warn or caution people not to be deceived by wealth, like the rich man who thought he was better than the beggar Lazarus and ended up with nothing.

Ultimately, Jesus wants everyone to follow him and show mercy to others no matter what their circumstances. That doesn’t mean we have to agree with their lifestyle or choices or give up what we have and put ourselves at risk or take in someone who is unstable or violent. It does mean that we can see their value and seek help for them or ourselves.

There are resources available.

One of my goals is to have such a resource list available at each church and outside as well, so people know where to go or who to call.

There is also hope in this Gospel that nothing in our circumstances is permanent. No hardship will last. The poor man is given more than the one who had everything. God has the final say. God will give to each one their fair due. This is reason to celebrate!

Can you imagine the poor beggar’s eyes light up when he arrives in Heaven to greet all his loved ones and his hero of faith, Abraham? Can you imagine Jesus setting a special place for him at his table, where his sores are healed over, and the dogs happily wag their tails gobbling up a meal of their own, while everyone eats and shares their stories of past hardship and how amazed they feel to be there? I can imagine their faces shining with gratitude, feeling blessed that they are no longer afflicted, and have everything they could ever want or need.

But even more hopeful than the promise of heaven, is that you don’t have to wait for heaven for such a blessing to occur. Jesus performed miracles while he walked on earth. He healed people along the way, he fed thousands of people at one time by multiplying the bread, and he raised the dead and wiped tears from every eye.

We can be like Jesus and bless others and uplift them.

The Gospel doesn’t promise there won’t be suffering in this world. There is suffering in this world to be sure. I don’t believe Jesus is asking us to deny or delay happiness either – he shows by his actions and how he treats people, alleviating their burdens and giving them new life, that true happiness is possible right now. He also celebrated with them.

Jesus offers hope, but also instruction. Jesus didn’t say follow me and sit and be comfortable and all will be well, like the rich man. He said follow me, and sometimes there will be trouble, but follow me and love one another. And all will be ultimately well. Embrace one another in times of difficulty. If we are doing relatively well, we can appreciate what we have and share with the people around us. If we do not have much or suffer in some way, we can reach out for help.

Whatever our circumstances, we can reach out and make a difference. This is what it means to follow the way of Christ.

I am encouraged as I continue in my third week working with this community of faith at Churchill and Gilford. I have learned so much from you already about what it means to be generous, and to care about each other. Whether some of us are experiencing hardship, or are working hard to alleviate those burdens, I see people supporting each other, and doing great things.

For example, next week community members are rallying to prepare goods donated by local organizations to give to about 30 families over Thanksgiving.

Churchill Gilford is also staring a food drive to meet the demand that is higher than usual post-covid times. Please feel free to bring by canned goods and non-perishable items over the next two weeks. And if you have a business or public space, feel free to collect more from clients, neighbours, and friends. We will work to together to deliver them to fill up the Community Fridges by Thanksgiving.

Thank you to all who are participating and helping out.

We also have something called the Benevolent Fund to help those struggling in our community. If you would like to donate a little extra, please talk to our treasurer (Doris/Agnes) or myself and we can arrange that for you.

And you will also hear today a bit more about the United Church’s Mission and Service Fund, which comes from communities of faith across Canada, just like us, to benefit local communities, families and individuals experiencing loss or hardship. Mission and Service also raise funds to help with global initiatives like disaster relief – like those being displaced by storms like Fiona.

It feels wonderful to help. But I also realize it might be hard to admit when we are the ones who need help. I know I’ve been there. It’s hard when we’re used to being in control and doing everything for everyone else. I encourage you if you, or someone you know needs help emotionally, physically, mentally, or materially, please reach out to myself or someone in our community. I am here for you. And there are many more resources available we can point you toward. Everything you share is confidential unless you would like others to know. Everyone has been through something – we are not here to judge; we are here to help. And we care about you.

Being there for each other brings us strength, and that is the hope we share as one family in Christ.

As I was leaving that Emmanuel College gathering, my friend who had brought the homeless man, came up to me and whispered a few words in my ear. He said, “thank you, ” I said for what? He said, “You were good with him.” I thought he meant because I gave him the food. But he said, “No, you listened to him. He doesn’t like to talk to too many people. And he felt safe to talk to you. That’s what he needed.” I felt this wave of gratitude, that God was with us in that moment. “Of course,” I said. But maybe that wasn’t so usual for that man on the street. Maybe most people walked by him. Along with some food, maybe all he really wanted was someone to stop and say, “Hey, how’s it going?” And listen to his story. Because everybody has one. Everyone is like a sister or brother, a son, or a daughter.

I’d like to think that all are welcome in this place. I know that that may not always be possible; some may not feel welcome, may still feel left out. But all God is asking us to do is to try our best to recognize the humanity in others, to recognize they are worthy. We can strive to be like Jesus and welcome all to our table.

Next week, we will celebrate communion. And I hope you will come out to experience this sacrament as Jesus intended: as a loving gathering to remember the one who loves us and saves us from despair, but also as a warm embrace from the community, a time for fellowship to share with each other and enjoy being together, where all are welcome.

I know this is a lot! And you are all doing so much already to help. But here’s a few things you can do, but just pick one and do it:

1. Call a friend or neighbour you haven’t talked to in a while – maybe someone who has been staying at home. Just say hi.

2. Donate food for the food drive, and let others know so that they can bring some too.

3. Donate money to the church, and if you would like, you can designate a portion to the Benevolent Fund or the Mission and Service Fund. Whatever speaks to you.

4. Welcome someone new to come with you to church. Maybe give them a ride. Invite them to stay for fellowship and enjoy some food.

5. Ask for help if you need it. Don’t be shy. Reach out. We all struggle from time to time. My number is on the front of your bulletin. Thank you. By doing one more thing, we can all live up to our hymn when we sing, “All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.” Amen