The Help Seekers

Do you know someone in need?

And he said to them, 'Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, "Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him." - Luke 11:5-6

In today's Gospel reading, Jesus is asked by his disciples to teach them to pray.  He answers them with The Lord's Prayer, but he doesn't stop there.  He also tells them a parable of sorts.  It is one where he puts them in the main role.

He tells them they have something a friend needs, but he needs it at an inconvenient time.  With persistence, though, the friend will eventually get what he needs, even though it is difficult for the disciples to give.

While the story may give us the impression that God is a reluctant giver, I don't believe that is the case.  I believe the message is that we tend to be reluctant to act when it is convenient.  We want to do things in our own time, not God's.

But God may come calling at a strange hour and seek our help for a "friend" who has come and is hungry.

When I look at the story that way, it takes on a different meaning for me.  It puts the onus on me to be the instrument of God's grace.

Is that how God answers prayers, by soliciting help from His friends for other friends in need?

From time to time, each of us becomes a help seeker.  We all need God's help to make it through our troubles and challenges.  We become the friend in need.

Yesterday, one of our regular lunch-time visitors brought a friend and he introduced him to me.  "This is the person I was telling you about," he said to me.  And I reached out my hand and welcomed him.

It was then that I realized something.  When Jesus told his followers to cast their bread upon the waters and it will come back in multiples, this is what he was talking about.  One friend will help another find his way.

Our job, I think, is a simple one.  I need to be ready to answer the call to help a friend.

So, when I pray the Lord's Prayer, and I tell God that I seek His will to be done, I am telling Him I am ready to serve His friends, the help seekers out there praying for help.

So, this morning, while many I know are still asleep, a few volunteers will join us when we open the doors and start setting up for the small circle of friends who will come, bringing their baskets and strollers to shop for a few groceries and sit for a while to have breakfast.

Yes, getting up early to prepare something for a stranger brought to us by a friend is inconvenient.

But when they walk away with a smile and a sincere "Thank you.  God bless you for what you do."  I know it is worth the minor inconvenience to get up and serve.

We do this every week.  Why don't you join us?

More to come...