The Problem and the Hope
Where does you hope come from?
Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an account of the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. - 1 Peter 3:15-16
In today's reading Peter tells us that we may have to defend ourselves from abuse because we conduct ourselves well. Because God's spirit lives within us, we live in hope and that makes us targets.
It seems odd that it is the good behavior we exhibit that would be attacked. One would think it would be the opposite. Usually people criticize others for not being good, for not caring about others, about us.
A man visited us at the Food Pantry yesterday and had a cup of coffee. Before introducing himself, he started to complain. He wasn't upset about anything we were doing, but more that we needed to do it at all.
With dozens of people in line to shop for groceries and over a dozen volunteers, young and old helping them make their selections, you would think any observer would marvel at all the good so many donors and supporters had done to enable us to serve so many each week.
But that is not where his thoughts went.
Instead of seeing the hope in action, he saw something quite different. He argued that all it would take is taxing a few billionaires to eliminate the need for pantries and soup kitchens.
What came to mind for me was Jesus telling his disciples that they would not have him, but they would always have the poor. If that is true, and no amount of taxation or government support will remedy that problem, then shouldn't we be doing the good work of bringing hope where there is none?
While we were talking, an elderly woman passed by on her way out. She reached the stairs and was struggling with her cart, so I excused myself and ran to help her. When I returned, he continued sharing his thoughts, as though arguing his point was the most productive thing he could be doing.
I told him he was welcome to shop at the pantry if he had a need, but he said he was ok. So, I said something else to him. If you want to do something positive to help these people, you are welcome to stay and volunteer.
He finished his coffee and left.
I don't think he will be back, but you never know. God works in mysterious ways.
More to come...