Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Matthew 9:37-38
“There is so much to do! What can I do? I am just one person!” How many times have you ever had that thought?
As you read this scripture in Matthew, remember that we are the workers. Each of us has value and can help in some way. Listen to what God is calling you to do. It might be sharing food with the poor, sending someone an encouraging note, praying for someone in need, or texting or calling a friend to encourage them in their trials.
Well, my brothers and sisters, it doesn’t matter how fat your bank account is, how many influential friends you may have, in what neighborhood you may reside, or how old or how young you may be, there is something you can do! Trinity provides us with many opportunities to help our neighbors who are in need.
If you look at this picture, you will see bins used to collect food for those in need in front of the Welcome Center. During the pandemic, it may be difficult to bring food to Trinity. Never fear my friends! You can give online at the Trinity UMC website or send a check to the church designated to the Food Pantry.
During this Advent season, it is important for us to be obedient and available to be a worker. Be prepared for God to use you to be a humble servant in His kingdom.
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?
Psalm 8:3-4
PEACE ON EARTH
This time of year always brings thoughts of peace. God has blessed us in that we have not had a world war in 75 years, although, sadly, there have been regional conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, Africa, the Middle East, and elsewhere.
In both the Old and the New Testaments, God pleads with mankind to forsake the cloudy skies of warfare, and let Him take care of conflict. Our Bible class is studying the book of Kings now, and in 2 Kings, Chapters 18 and 19, the enemy Army after all its impressive threats is decimated by “the Angel of the Lord” in one night.
Likewise, in the New Testament, Jesus rejects violence and loves his enemies. He prays for those who abuse and ultimately kill Him. In the Gospel of Matthew, the Evangelist quotes Jesus as saying: “You have heard that it was said ‘You should love your neighbor, and hate your enemy. But I say to you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you’” (Matthew 5:43-44).
Jesus teaches and exemplifies a new way, a new dawn of human, social and international relationships. Jesus’ way of peace is still possible.
When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
Luke 19:5-6
Advent is a time for feeling a closeness to our core values as they surface to the forefront when we celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Commercialization of the holiday gains our attention. I believe, however, that Advent is an emotional period for reflection and personal renewal to be better individuals and role models.
Can you imagine this time of the year without some element of a child’s presence?
Children strengthen our resolve during this period and enhance our faith in many ways. A child’s innocence provides clarity to our vision, reminding us to practice our Christian beliefs. Are adults their mentors or are children our mentors? We help guide them toward a faith-based practice as much as they guide us. Children remind us to ask for help when needed, to simplify our approach to problems, and to be authentic in our teachings and behavior.
A church community is our home and serves as a vital foundation and welcoming environment in support of our faith journey. In Luke 19:5-6, Jesus goes to the home of the tax collector, Zacchaeus, to guide him toward the need for truth and strength of Christian behavior.
A lesson I learned in my career from young children is how often those with significant chronic diseases exhibit an adult-like strength of character. I attribute this to the everlasting support of our Christian leader. God has taught us that he will never forsake us during a time of need.
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world… And everyone went to their own town to register.
What a cold, dark, uninviting place is in this picture. I would have no desire to visit or be compelled to go to such a dreadful “home.”
Each year, many churches in the South celebrate memories of the past through a tradition known as “Homecoming.” Those people who have migrated from their birthplaces return to participate in the church’s annual Homecoming services— a census of sorts.
I remember my grandparents’ little country church with the hymnals and funeral home fans in the pews that were overflowing with visitors returning home. The homecoming celebration included a service, a memorial, and singing later in the day, but what I remember most is the food. Everyone brought a huge Sunday dinner; the dishes included some of the best fried chicken and desserts I have ever eaten. And did I ever feel welcomed! It did not take long for everyone in that congregation to know who the visitors were and their connections to the church family there.
What a contrast to Mary and Joseph, whose return home for their census was no homecoming. They were stuck in the most forbidding surroundings with people who were in no way
welcoming. I cannot imagine anyone greeting them kindly or even caring who they were.
We may never know who the visitors we encounter are, or the effect we may have on their lives. May God’s love and grace inspire us to be welcoming to all.
And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.
Deuteronomy 10:19
My family and I traveled to Italy several years ago and stayed in a small inn in Diecimo. Our host, Franco, also ran the local market down the street. Every morning he’d make our breakfast and kept the cappuccino flowing. We’d fumble with the language barrier while making plans for the day, and he would laugh at our attempts to speak Italian. At the end of the trip, Franco drove us to the airport, hugged us, leaving us with the feeling that we had made a new friend. We even hoped we would have the opportunity to meet again and return his hospitality.
CARITAS is in the process of moving into the new center in South Richmond which will allow them to assist more of our neighbors who are struggling with homelessness and addiction. Circles One and Ten participated in the House Warming Shower Initiative by providing household items to outfit one apartment in the new facility. God is asking us to love those who are foreigners or strangers because we know what it is like to be in a foreign place. A stable home environment and freedom from the effects of substance abuse should not be a foreign concept for anyone.
Let us celebrate this Advent season giving love as Jesus taught us and sharing our blessings with those who are seeking a home and a life with dignity.
The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.
Acts 10:22-23
In the scripture we’re told that Peter is approached on behalf of a Roman, gentile centurion. Peter welcomes the guests. We’re further told that this man is righteous and respected.
Fortunately, these characteristics are not required to be welcomed by Jesus’ followers.
Each of us may not have been guided by a holy angel to seek out Jesus, but we are fortunate to have been invited with welcoming, open arms to learn and meet Jesus at Trinity. We are fortunate to have found inside these doors a loving, Jesus-led people who are eager to share all that they can about Jesus with us, through scripture, through worship, and through daily living.
Yes, we gentiles at Trinity are most fortunate that God’s gift of Jesus is not limited to God’s chosen people. We are fortunate that this gift is given specifically to each one of us regardless of gender, of color, of ethnic origin, or of nationality. And we are fortunate that there is no limited time during which we can accept God’s gift of Christ; nor is there a limit to the numbers who can accept His gift. All are children of God and all are welcome!
So each year, during Advent, we at Trinity are given the opportunity to prepare anew to accept God’s gift and to open our doors to invite others in that we may share the gift, whether or not they have been visited by a holy angel directing them to seek out God’s gift of Jesus.
