40 Day Journey with Our Neighbors in Solidarity
Week 1: Church on the Street
Written By: Tami Prostrollo; Church on the Street Board President
Day 3: Matthew 25:35-36,40 (Revised Standard Version)
34 Then the King will say to those at his right hand, Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me drink, I was a stranger, and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked, and you clothed me, I was sick, and you cared for me, I was in prison, and you came to me… 40 Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me.
We end this week focusing on “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.”
It has been a long crazy week, hasn’t it? Each day we have looked at the diverse needs of God’s children. Have you been thinking, “There is just so much need, I am only one person; what could I possibly do to make a difference? I know I will sign up for the Church on the Street Prayer list, and I will pray for everyone; I will even log in and contribute to this ministry that is helping the least!” That is a start, but I would like to challenge you to look deeper, deeper into your heart. A year ago, a friend gave me this Franciscan benediction that I keep next to my computer at work, and it prompts me every day to think twice about what I see and hear around me.
May God bless you with enough foolishness.
To believe you can make a difference in the world,
So that you can do what others claim cannot be done,
To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.
I love this. It acknowledges right off that it is hard, crazy hard to take care of your brothers and sisters. It is foolish to get up at 4 am so you can help prepare breakfast at the Banquet, it is crazy foolish to stand outside in the freezing cold to have conversations with the hundreds that show up for a Saturday Church on the Street worship service, and how irresponsible would it be of you to spend time packing food boxes at Feeding SD when you have so much on your plate already. I believe Jesus asks us to be foolish, he asks us to be bold, he asks us to do the undoable, she asks us to do it for Him. You will be making a difference in the world of each one you meet. And all the while, Jesus will fill your soul with something you did not even know you were missing. God’s grace fills us all up.
Reflection
I encourage you to reflect on this benediction daily for several days until it becomes part of who you are. Then, when you look around in your world, find where you can be foolish in the name of our Risen Savior and tend to the needs of the least.
Practice
- Pray for God’s guidance to help you see through His eyes.
- Pray for the wisdom to know what He would have you to do.
- Pray for the boldness to do what you are hearing Him ask you to do.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, We come to you today with regret for not listening to you. We are sorry for being so self-absorbed in our day-to-day lives that we neglected to see what is happening around us. We ask you today to please give us the strength and courage to do our part in bringing kindness and justice to all our brothers and sisters. Father, we pray for all who are hungry, thirsty, lonely, cold, sick, and imprisoned. We pray that you will use us to help fill those in need with your love and grace. It is in your Holy name we pray. Amen
