Pulling Compassion Out Of Depression.

Share your food with everyone who is hungry; share your home with the poor and homeless. Give clothes to those in need; don't turn away your relatives. (Isaiah 58:7)

The crowds asked John, "What should we do?" John told them, "If you have two coats, give one to someone who doesn't have any. If you have food, share it with someone else." (Luke 3:10-11)

As we continue our reflections on the issue of oppressive systems, we are challenged with Isaiah 58:7.

During the Great Depression of the 1930's, my grandfather would always be sure to cook extra food at each meal. Though he was a widower with six children to care for, he had a heart of compassion for the people who would wander from town to town looking for any kind of work. So, though he did not have work for them to do, and though he did not have money to share, he did what he could for them: he provided a hot meal.

Here we are, some eighty years later. I believe we can make plenty of reasonable arguments for opting not to help others. After all, times are hard. People are untrustworthy. It's enough of a challenge to live through our own problems, let alone share the burdens of others.

But God has set forth His criteria concerning the type of fast He pays attention to, and part of that criteria involves compassionate care for persons in need.

Perhaps my grandfather can be a case study for us today. Instead of hoarding his resources for just himself and his children, my grandfather gave as liberally as he could. He could not host a dinner for thirty people, but he could freely share a bowl of soup and a biscuit, or a plate of food. At that point in his life my grandfather had a small plot of farmland, and he could cook, so he did. That was how he participated in the fast God has chosen.

But what does Isaiah 58:7 look like for those of us who are unemployed, or homeless, or hungry, but still want to be a blessing to others? How can we become blessings to others in light of our own lack? Is there any way that we, too, can participate in this act of engaging God's chosen fast?

Maybe we, like the churches at Macedonia, could adopt a principle of compassionate care that begins in our hearts. The apostle Paul recorded the testimony in Second Corinthians 8:1-5:

"My friends, we want you to know that the churches in Macedonia have shown others how kind God is. Although they were going through hard times and were very poor, they were glad to give generously. They gave as much as they could afford and even more, simply because they wanted to. They even asked and begged us to let them have the joy of giving their money for God's people. And they did more than we had hoped. They gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us, just as God wanted them to do."

How can we avoid participation in a system of oppression? By giving ourselves to God first, and by joyfully doing what we can (no matter how small) to bless others.

Lord God, please show us what we are able to do. We trust You to multiply and bless our small efforts. We reject the spirit of self-preservation and embrace acts of compassion. Lord God, open our eyes and guide our feet. Take us into the fast You have chosen.

Know Your History.

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) (Luke 2:1-2)

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar-- when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene-- during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. (Luke 3:1-2)

Luke was intentional in naming names and establishing context. He shares with us the names and titles of political and religious leaders: those who were in office at the time Jesus was born (Luke 2), and those who ruled at the time Jesus entered into His earthly ministry (Luke 3). We are privileged to know that the life of Jesus is not myth, but fact.

Our senior pastor shared a few words which I would us to reflect on for today:

"There is a historical celebration of Advent. When we come at this time of year, we as Christians can tell you, 'At the time when Quirinius was governor of Syria'. And we are not just in some kind of fable, you know, 'once upon a time there was a Jesus'. No. We are telling you what time. 'And when Augustus was Caesar.' There is a particular point in history when God, the One who is outside of history, stepped into history and came into the world. We celebrate a historical fact of the coming. Jesus Christ came." (Rev. Dr. Sam Vassel)

Jesus, the Christ, came into the world. Be encouraged.

Cycle "G".

Happy New Year!

Yesterday was the first day of the 2013-2014 liturgical year. For Christians, the first Sunday of Advent ushers in a new cycle of praise, worship, prayer, and reflection. Who is the subject and object of our attention? He is God: our Father, Savior, Lord, King, and Advocate.

In yesterday’s English-language sermons, Pastor Sam encouraged us to reflect on the Holy Spirit’s influence in the Advent themes. Over the next few weeks, we’ll consider the Spirit’s role in four areas: preparation, yearning, expectation, and hope.

For today, let’s read (or re-read) one of the Scripture passages our pastor referenced: Luke 3:1-18.

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Abilene—during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God’s salvation.’”

John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” “What should we do then?” the crowd asked. John answered, “The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.”

Tax collectors also came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.” The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them.

(Luke 3:1-18, NIV)