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“Reflections of the Heart”
II Corinthians 8:7-15; Mark 5:21-43
Rev. Sandy Nuernberg
Oakland-Cambridge Presbyterian Church, Cambridge, WI
13th Sunday in Ordinary Time -
Immigration Sunday
July 2, 2006
A common phrase we hear these days
is, “It is the poor who help the poor, ” and it’s perhaps because the poor know
what poverty is like. A few years ago, while I was in school at Edgewood in
Madison, I volunteered at Port St. Vincent. It is a men’s shelter at the old,
original railroad station in east Madison ( off Baldwin St.) where twenty-seven
(27) men can stay, short term, until they become self-sufficient–until they have
a job and a place to live seeking stable lives in which to live. I liked it
because I could help in the planning and fixing of meals for the men; but I
didn’t know we had to eat with them! Our director at ‘the Port’, which it is
called, at the time was Presbyterian Pastor Glen Reichelderfer, urged us as
volunteers to stay long enough to converse with and get to know these men.
Initially, this was tough for me, but I did it.
At first I was reluctant as to
what to talk about; I felt ‘poor’ because I was not ever knowing first-hand of
this kind of poverty. As time passed I learned that they were eager to talk
about their previous crumbled lives, but also, to want to start anew; they only
needed guidance and urging from Glen and others to support and lead them into a
confidence to be on their own. I saw and heard an enthusiasm and eagerness in
some of them that taught me how the grace of God comes forth in different people
and in different ways. These men of all ages were poor, sorrowful, lonely and
ashamed of their living patterns, and yet they had a shared identity; they were
courteous, caring, and comfortable with their buddies and sometimes with
visitors. Their enthusiasm watching Packer’s games was unmatched!! Church
groups, young and old, and school groups visited to make their meals and to be
in their presence. Because of their poverty I came away each visit feeling very
‘rich’ in satisfaction in the experiences I took part.
In our texts in II Corinthians,
and in Mark’s gospel, we are confronted with what seems to be a theme of
stewardship–did you ever dream of your new pastor talking of that sensitive
topic her second Sunday in the pulpit? But I believe our texts tell us that our
stewardship is our gifts of time, talent, and treasure and they are our choices
that we make as good caretakers of God’s created world. They are reflections
deep within our hearts for loving others. Paul is writing to his churches
complimenting them on their generosity to and with others, but he is balancing
that with begging them to continue, as they were once poor, and yet gave all
that they had, much more than what was expected of them. He pleads with them not
to hold back from when they began their church, as they were knowing of the
example of Jesus Christ, sacrificing his own body and blood for them in his
crucifixion and resurrection. Jesus, with all the people following him and
believing in him, is healing the bleeding woman and the dying daughter in
response to their faith; calming their fears Jesus tells them their faith
is what makes them well. In Christ’s life/ death, in his deeds, His power and
glory is known in all they were/ we are.
Paul stresses the necessity for
these Macedonian churches which he founded, in putting their feelings into
action. They had feelings in their heart for deeds to be done, just like the men
from the Port, but at times they could not make those feelings, those
reflections so heart-felt, become their actions. They were poor in spirit but
wanting in action to perform anything they could to help themselves and others.
If they, if we, have the eagerness that Christ had in sharing more of what we
have in abundance with those in less abundance than we, these deeds done of our
own accord, of our choosing, are all for/to the glory of the Lord. In being
faithful disciples in caring for and choosing to share their/our gifts; time
(our presence); talent (our gifts in teaching and healing others), and treasures
(our wealth for those in need), they/ we are choosing all of the deeds
that God has given us.
Our stewardship involves every
aspect of life in all stages of life, and is a grateful response to God’s grace
and goodness to us. This past week I was thrilled to see and talk with so many
who have come to the office and introduce themselves to me. On Wednesday I was
invited to attend a small, short seminar by two of our faithful here at OCPC–Marian
and Mim. They generously provided their time, talents and even treasures with a
booklet of valuable information for our Cambridge area senior citizens at this
seminar. As I paged through our materials in this ‘self-help’ kind of booklet,
I thought of their sharing just enough of their professional knowledge with our
community of what was available; it was not too much, but I noticed their
eagerness, their love, and their generosity in what provides professional and
personal faith deeds. They talked of housing alternatives, services like lawn
mowing and roof repair, and lifestyle considerations for those in their ‘golden
years.’ There were businesses named, professionals from our congregation, and
others in our community to contact for help in staying in your own home or in
considering changes in home living. It seemed to me an excellent example of
Paul’s idea, in our today’s world of sharing our abundant wealth in a fair
balance atmosphere.
As we come to the communion table,
you and I, celebrating Christ as the bread of life and the cup of salvation, let
us be aware that God’s grace in us requires us to consider how our choices
affect us and others. The good news of the gospel is that as we balance our
lives in our abundant giving and accepting with/to others, we are good
caretakers in God’s created world. Our God-given gifts of time, talents, and
treasures are reflections deep within our hearts that best help us as stewards
to serve God and to be disciples of Christ.
THIS IS
THE WORD OF THE LORD. THANKS BE TO GOD. AMEN.
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