Greater Things Than These
Monday, April 9, 2007 -- Monday of Easter Week
"Morning Reflections" is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.
Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117
An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this location -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html
Today's Readings for the Daily Office (p. 958)
Psalms 93, 98 (morning) 66 (evening)
Jonah 2:1-9
Acts 2:14, 22-32
John 14:1-14
"Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, we'll do greater works than these, because I am going to the father."
As I read those words this morning, it struck me how they have come true. Through millions of compassionate disciples, wonderful good works have been accomplished in the name of Jesus. All of the wonderful acts of healing, feeding, restoring, and uniting have happened in the amplified quantities through the church and its institutions and through individual Christians living out their ministries.
Jesus fed the multitudes; Christian ministries have brought food to millions. Jesus was best known as a healer; Christian hospitals and doctors have brought healing ministries around the world. Jesus touched lepers; leprosy and so many other dread diseases have been overcome and limited; Christians are taking leading roles in addressing both the stigma and the care for persons living with AIDS. Jesus practiced a radical hospitality, especially toward outsiders, and offered gracious compassion to the poor; compassionate ministries and kind actions by his followers abound throughout the world. Jesus taught using illustrations from nature, showing a caring alertness toward plants, weather, birds and fish; Christian environmentalists are at the forefront of advocacy for our planet. Jesus taught people about a loving, gracious God whose forgiveness and compassion is without bound; the church proclaims the goodness of God, although our history is riddled with moments when we have been unable to embrace a God who is as loving as the One whom Jesus pictures. Jesus raised the dead to life; I have seen many who have found new life through Jesus and the ministries in his name, and I have seen a few who were physically dead rise and live again through medicine and mysteries beyond medicine.
Life in the resurrection is a life that seeks to imitate Jesus. Whenever that happens, his Spirit is present to accomplish the same reconciliation and healing that happened during Jesus' earthly ministry. "I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son." When we act in a manner that is consistent with Jesus' Spirit, the same wonders happen.
Lowell
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posted by Lowell @ 8:44 AM
14 comments
14 Comments:
so True.. and Thanks be to God, i myself have seen many mirricels threw the Church, so much love and compassion acceptance , and more help then i ever thought i would need in life..
i remember when Katrina hit, how many churches where there with water/suplies / help before our Government was even there... not a question about it, just go and help where you are needed. How blessed we are to have places filled with compassion like our Church home.
Blessings be, Jen Cole
Actions do speak louder than words when those actions are led by the Spirit. We do miss hearing the good news coming out of Katrina, but it is just as well that service be given selflessly.
A great Biblical truth.
The government CAN'T and SHOULDN'T replace caring Christians (people).
The government (whoever is in power) is incapable of responding with the quickness and the message of hope.
The government shouldn't be allowed to. Christian must be involved in government (and vote) for the party that will be honest, and not take our taxes any higher, that they can't do it as well as we can. When the government taxes us to the point that we don't have the resources to help people, we have failed the people in need, not the government. Coincedently, God isn't going to let any of us get away with some lame excuse like "I didn't have any money".
Here is another example of a Biblical truth that government has a role in military protection but socially, God's children need to help the needy.
Good observation, don't let the government steal your blessing.
I want a compassionate government that lives by the same qualities and virtues that Jesus called the church to live by.
I once saw a statistic that I can't quote exactly, but I can speak to its spirit. If every dollar that is contributed to every church in America were to be diverted to some form of compassionate need for the poor, it would not equal the resources of one major governmental social program such a food stamps.
The sad reality is that the church cannot meet the needs of our whole society. I look to government to be a friend and a partner in the work of caring for our neighbor as ourselves.
Lowell
I just fear the day when the government has to take care of people that we should be.
The "sad reality" is that the government can't do the job, it has been proven over and over again. Why? Our God is a god of order, and that is the way it was designed. Our governments can be a safety net, but it can't be the rope we are walking on.
Take food stamps. Many people need them for short period of time, but at some point, you must get a job and support yourself. If you don't work, you don't eat. It is not compassionate to take from one to give to another who often is lazy.
Jesus called us to show compassion, we are better than the gov't. We are also able to discern when people are trying to scam us, and there are plenty of those.
Unfortunately, the playing field isn't level. Some people never have much of a chance because of the homes they are born into, and the schools they are able to go to. Those of us who grew up in middle to upper class families just can't wholly fathom the utter lack of opportunity some people start off with. Until these inequities are met, there will always be some people who need food stamps and such for the longer term. I am not willing to see people cut off just because "you must get a job and support yourself."
This is America Doug. There are so many jobs here that we have to let people come here illegally from other countries. There are opportunities and everyone has it. It is not equal everywhere, but there is the opportunity. Those of you who grew up in middle to upper class shouldn't have to pay the bills for us in the lower class(not that I am there anymore).
My arguement isn't that people don't need help. It is that it is the job of the church and not the government. The church is able to deliver quicker and hold people accountable to try to improve their situation.
Consider this...
People work and therefore don't qualify for government social programs, but desperately need help making ends meet. What a beautiful opportunity this presents for the "church" to fill the gap. But how do these families get the help they need? Should they stand outside the door with an open hand?
Perhaps instead of pointing fingers we could search out a neighbor in need. "Holding people accountable" is attaching a string to a gift. If someone needs a dollar and I have two in my pocket, I give my neighbor half of what I have. What he then does with it is up to him.
We are as much our government as we are our church. Both are human. Both are falible.
Good point.
When I say the church I am refering to individuals. People like you who see a need and meet it.
I would also say the government has a roll to play. The roll should be very small.
For two reasons. Red tape in government results in enormous waste.
Accountability. Consider this two cents, if you gave your neighbor your last dollar and he bought a loaf of bread it would have been a good "investment" on your part. But if he goes and buys a pack of smokes your "investment in him" was wasted. That is what I mean by accountability. No strings attached, but now you can use that other dollar for someone who really needs it.
That is the arguement. I guess to some that seems cruel. To me it seems more like good stewardship.
Just my humble interpretation
However you choose to invest in your neighbor is good and generous.
I give my "investment" in good faith. If he chooses to use it to buy smokes, that is his decision. He is not accountable to me for it. Perhaps the smokes give him time to pause and reconsider doing harm to himself or someone else. In that situation my investment would reap far greater rewards.
If I give my gift in the collection plate at church, there is no way of knowing that it gets to the person who needs it most. I give it and pray that it finds its way.
Have you ever been doing laundry and found forgotten money in a pocket just when you needed it? I have and I thank God for it.
Please do not give me credit for meeting the needs of my neighbors. When I can give, I give freely.
So you believe that is no bad way someone can spend charity?
Your build your giving on perhaps?
He will accountable for everything he says and does just like you and me. He will answer for how he spent the dollar. You will be accountable for how you gave. I am talking about the next and next and next dollar you give. If you continue to give to someone who wastes is foolish and bad stewardship.
Also, if you can't trust your church with responsible spending, then change it or I suggest you find a church that does.
I can live with that.
You may be confusing charity with enabling.
I would venture to say that all enabling starts off as charity.
Amen to that! I couldn't agree more.
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