The Seventh Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 8A), June 29, 2008
BCP: Isaiah 2:10-17; Psalm 89:1-18 or 89:1-4,15-18; Rom. 6:3-11; Matt. 10:34-42
RCL: Gen. 22:1-14 and Psalm 13; or Jer. 28:5-9 and Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18; Rom.
6:12-23; Matt. 10:40-42
In one of the short TV spots that are part of the nonprofit Ad Council’s current
Generous Nation campaign, three young children are in a car. Two are sleeping, and the third is sitting in the front seat and staring forlornly. Their parents stand outside in the pouring rain. “This is a family,” says the announcer, “that was almost fed by neighbors who almost volunteered.”
Another shows a back view of a man on crutches, partway up a long staircase. “This is a man who almost learned to walk, at a rehab center that almost got built, by people who almost gave money,” recites the narrator.
Most of us don’t have to look very far into our pasts to find all kinds of opportunities we’ve missed for reaching out to people in need. Perhaps a financially overextended neighbor lost his or her job. We thought about inviting that person for a meal, but we never got around to doing it. Maybe we’ve considered helping out in a soup kitchen or at a homeless shelter. But after we’d worked all day and prepared our own dinner and cleaned up, we were simply too tired to do anything but watch TV. Perhaps another time.
Sin results when we allow our fallen selfishness to rule what we do (or don’t do). As such, our many instances of “almost” helping those around us in need represent sins of omission. Paul urges us, “do not let sin exercise dominion in your mortal bodies.” As members of the body of Christ, he enjoins us, “present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness.” “Now that you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God,” he concludes, “the advantage you get is sanctification. The end is eternal life” (Rom. 6:12-13, 22).
Being of help to God’s people in need doesn’t need to be expensive or even time consuming. Sometimes a kind word or a hug does the trick. Or it might be simply listening or providing companionship. As our Savior tells us in this Sunday’s gospel, “whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward” (Matt. 10:42).
Our intentions, however good and sincere, gain us nothing if we don’t follow through. The Ad Council indeed gets it right: “When it comes to giving, ‘almost’ doesn’t count.”
Look It Up
How do Abraham and Sarah meet the needs of the strangers who appear by the oaks of Mamre (Gen. 18:1-8)? What might this say about our obligation to outsiders in our midst today?
Think About It
How can I best respond today to someone I’m aware of who’s in need?
Next Sunday
The Eighth Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 9A), July 6, 2008
BCP: Zech. 9:9-12; Psalm 145 or 145:8-14; Rom. 7:21-8:6; Matt. 11:25-30
RCL: Gen. 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 and Psalm 45: 11-18, or Song 2:8-13; or Zech.
9:9-12 and Psalm 145: 8-15; Rom. 7:15-25a; Matt. 11:16-19, 25-30
