A Call From Afar
Did you ever have to say "No" to a friend?
How did they take it?
They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way. - Luke 4:29-30
In today's reading, Jesus is praised as a prophet and then driven from the town, threatened with death, all because he refused to do miraculous things in his home town.
What gives? Why not help people you know?
We can come up with several reasons to get away to perform one's ministry, from overcoming skepticism from those who have known us before, to needing to be where God wants us, both of which Jesus mentions in his explanation, but what about us?
What is it that makes us more committed to help those in distant lands suffering in ways we can't imagine, rather than seek solutions for problems at home?
In our travels these past two weeks, we did not see many people begging on the streets, that is until we arrived in Venice.
In all locations, young men and old had set up "shop" on pedestrian walkways and wherever tourists passed to sell little toys and whistles or paintings, but in Venice we encountered old women hunched over in doorways with cups begging for coins.
I was reminded of the widows in the Bible stories some of whom reached out to those passing by, while others just went about their lives thinking this day would be the last, not expecting any help from anyone.
It is only natural that it is hard to ignore someone who is visible and present, so why is it we can walk past a begger and send money to an organization that will reach out to strangers in foreign lands?
I think it is the same as when weare on vacation. To be enjoying ourselves while others are suffering seems wrong, it makes us feel guilty, so we reach into our pockets to avoid or reduce the pain, ours.
I think that might have been the point Jesus was making with his family and friends. You want to help yourselves and so you are angry when I offer the help to others rather than to you.
In other words, don't be selfish.
Is that it? Is it all about us when we give? We want to be healed and we want to avoid guilt, so we act?
True ministry and mission are about love, and I have to admit I rarely feel love for the begger, even though I probably should. I give and feel better, until I walk away and start to wonder what will happen to her. Do I change my plans and stay to offer real help?
No. That would be a real sacrifice, wouldn't it?
If I learn nothing else from this vacation, that bit of insight might be plenty. The call to serve may seem like a distant one, either in terms of location or just being too far off to realize, but it is real and waiting for my response.
What will that be?
More to come...