A Cup of Water

and 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.”

There's something holy about sharing a cup of cold water. 

Surely there's holiness in the simple act of compassion when one person takes the time to recognize thirst in another and quench it. 

Certainly, it's a gesture refreshing a thirsty soul wandering in a spiritual desert.

Sharing a cup of cold water facilitates a holy hospitality in our ever-increasing society of disrespect. 

Probably it's a way of teaching holiness to new disciples, "little ones", regarding the meaning of caring for others in Jesus' name.

Clearly, it's a sign of hope in a world that doesn't seem to have a sense of justice and longing for the new age Jesus talked about. 

These types of holy actions are definitely a something and individual can do as part of being a disciple of Jesus.

Jesus reminds the disciples he represents God's vision of a new age, therefore the disciple offering a cup of cold water in Jesus' name represents that same vision.

The book of Acts names people such as Ananias of Damascus, Simon the Tanner, Cornelius, Lydia, Prisca/Aquila, Sergius Paulus, whose hospitality helped Jesus' mission of building God's new age. 

The Jesus promises to reward disciples who find a way to bless the ones offering cups of cold water either now or at the end of the age. 

Think about it:  Is Jesus is calling us to respond with simple kindness? A way of being? A ministry for the church?

The God of Sparrows

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? 

Yet not one of them will fall to the ground 

unperceived by your Father. 

And even the hairs of your head are all counted. 

So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

(from Mt.10:24-39)

Fear is a powerful emotion.

Trust me, I know first-hand.

I took a youth group to the observation site on Place' Ville Marie with its awesome view of Montreal. 

The elevator doors opened revealing the observation site as glass from ceiling to floor. 

The youth ran right to its edge and looked out upon this incredible scene.

Terrified, I leaned against the wall as far from the edge as possible.

Now imagine Jesus gathering the disciples around and describing their mission.

Their mission? Proclaim: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons'

The disciples, eager to continue Jesus' mission, realize it is dangerous and may cost their lives.

Jesus understands fear as reason for the disciple's failure upon leaving the safety of their homes and families.

Following Jesus and  proclaiming the coming of God’s reign, may cause them to finally succumb to fears' power and want to quit. 

Jesus tells them three different times, "Do not be afraid".

The God of sparrows, Jesus says, God cares for them virtually like two sparrows worth a penny of which you have more value.

The God of sparrows knows your fears and is with you.

Fear is a universal and powerful force motivating our society and our own lives so we are taught to fear the larger world as well those who are closest to us.

So then, where their hope in the face of fear?

Jesus naming out loud the suffering and its causes freed them from the stubborn grip of fear.

As it was with them, so it is with us.

Naming our fears aloud to the God of sparrows frees us from their control.

God knows our life's ups and downs' caring more for us than the sparrows.

Think about it: how can fear be an agent for growth?

Dominos and Grace

“Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob,

and tell the Israelites:

You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how

I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself."

(from Exodus 19:2-8a)

I met the 17-year-old and his family were walking past our house with luggage and plastic bags. 

I asked about this odd procession, a single mom with three boys, and discovered they recently moved into the neighborhood and were walking to the laundromat because they had no car. 

When I met the family again on the way to the laundromat, I asked the teen if he would help me with yard work for a little cash.

"Yes, sir," he replied.

He arrived on the set day and I showed him how to use the trimmer. 

When he finished trimming, I invited him to share some water as we sat on our deck. 

As we chatted, I asked him if he knew how to play dominos.

"No, sir, but I'd like to learn."

We set up a time, he arrived, learned how to play, and we played several games.

During the game, he shared his journey beginning with a cataclysmic event causing his mom to lose her $160,000 salary to more than a year in homeless shelters, to their current home. 

Our Dominos game was an occasion of Grace.

By Grace an epiphany opened me to the experience and emotions of events leading to homelessness.

A face was put on the homeless people I have encountered at church, the Bowery Mission, and at the Port Authority Bus Terminal meal site.

By Grace, the Exodus reading, which relates an account of the past, present, and future of God's people, becomes eternal.

By Grace, God's Covenant with God's people is an assurance of salvation toward a new future. 

By Grace, the LORD, will raise up as on wings of eagles, the wanderer, the seeker, and the prophets. 

Jesus' Mountaintop Meeting

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name

of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

and teaching them to obey everything

that I have commanded you

(from Matthew 28:16-20. Also Read Daniel 7:13-14)

Imagine you are a star player on the Celtics.

You are sitting in the locker room with your foot soaking in ice to reduce your swollen ankle injury.

Not only did your injury keep you from playing your best because of the constant pain, but your team lost by an embarrassing 19 points. 

Your season is over with little left but everyone's opinion.

A good pep talk for you and your team would restore hope and help healing.

This is pretty much the situation of the disciples. 

Judas' treason created confusion among them.

Previously, Jesus told them to meet him on the mountain top outside Galilee.

So, with hope, they went to the mountain and met Jesus.

The pep talk began as the disciples are reminded God gave Jesus "all authority" and they are to use Jesus' authority to heal, forgive, and make disciples by baptizing and teaching.

This is a reminder of their summoning to seek a lifestyle based on love and justice by being a doer of God's Word as spoken by Jesus.

The vision is encouraging these early followers of Jesus, to imagine a mission reaching everybody regardless of ethnic or cultural differences.

The disciples' mission becomes envisioning a world free of racial, economic and gender prejudice and work toward it.

I can't predict if the Celtics will win the championship next year, but I am certain the team will work towards that goal. 

I am certain, however, that Jesus' followers will work towards a world free of human restrictions and towards God's all-accepting love.

It seems to me, also, that on Sunday our gathering for worship is a reminder of our summoning to live the inclusive life with which Jesus empowered us.

Think about it: In what ways do you think you need to grow in your discipleship?