35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’-Matthew 25:35-39It was very fitting that yesterday's gospel contained the theme verse for Project Matthew. If you don't know, our church collects food and money from our members each week for about 8 weeks and then distributes turkeys with groceries to prepare all the trimmings for those in our community that can't afford a Thanksgiving feast.
Saturday was our distribution day and it was so gratifying to see it all work out so well. The atmosphere as we distribute the boxes isn't one of "poor people" coming to get something from "rich people," but an atmosphere of friends who have sharing with friends who don't have.
That is the key to giving. Giving is not ab out feeling superior or "lording it over" someone else. It is not about racking up "brownie points." It is about people loving others enough to not want them to go without.
I am very proud of the outreach of Holy Cross. Project Matthew is our favorite outreach, but it is far from our only one. And all of it is done with an attitude of love. In his sermon today, Pastor Chad shared a poem written by a teenager about how people pray for those in need and even talk about the need to help them, but rarely really DO anything about it. Thank you, Holy Cross for feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, clothing the naked and visiting the sick and imprisoned. You have indeed done these things to Jesus himself.
Lord Jesus,
Bless my brothers and sisters at Holy Cross. I am privileged to know them and worship with them and serve with them. Amen.
Joys: Project Matthew; Richard coming home today; very tiring but fun weekend with Cecelia
No comments:
Post a Comment