The Least of These

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, (Matthew 25:35 NIV)

Holy Cross does a lot for "the least of these."  It makes me so happy to be a part of a church that spends more time helping people than condemning or blaming people.  We know that it is not about WHY they are in their situations, only that they ARE in that situation and that we must meet them where they are.

My favorite of these ministries is Project Matthew.  For weeks, church members bring different food items to church and donate money for turkeys so that we can give about 125 families the groceries to prepare their own Thanksgiving meal.  Many churches do many good things like this, but the thing I like most about how Holy Cross does it is that each person is treated with dignity and with love.  They are invited in to share fellowship, prayer and refreshments.  If I didn't know our own folks so well, it would be hard to tell the volunteers from those being helped.

This is what a church should be.  More than that, it is what each of us should be in our lives everyday.   No judgment.  No making people feel guilty and stupid and worthless.  Just meeting people where they are and loving them and doing what they can to bring a little joy into their lives.  Sociologist and pastor, Tony Campolo couldn't have said it better than he did in this story.  It is about 8 minutes long, but fully worth the time.  This is the kind of church we should all want:

http://m.youtube.com/#/results?q=tony%20compolo%20birthday%20party

Father,
Thank you for Holy Cross and people who love others right where they are.  Amen.