There is this story in the Gospel of John (12:1-8) where Jesus was with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, this family who he clearly loved, when Mary brings in a bottle of very costly perfume. You can just imagine the scene where she is pouring it on Jesus’ feet, and the house is filled with this magnificent fragrance.

But just as this is happening, Judas interrupts: Well! Why didn’t we sell this perfume and give the money to the poor?  In this context, this is a fair question. Jesus has been all about caring for the poor. But he says, “Leave her alone. She kept it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

We have to be careful here because some people have assumed Jesus was saying that we don’t really have to care about the poor and the vulnerable, because it’s just ordained that they are always here. But he was actually quoting the book of Deuteronomy where God says to Moses, “Moses, you will always have the poor with you in your land, do not neglect them! Do not fail to open your hands to your brother in need.” (15:3)

In fact, what Judas misses is that right in front of him, at that moment, was a human being in need. Here was Mary, who was clearly struggling – her friend, was going to be put to death. She had a need to give, a need to show her love. And then right in front of Mary, is Jesus… who knew he was facing the cross. 

Jesus was not saying we can neglect the larger need. But he is saying: Don’t overlook the needy one right in front of you.

So often, we get overwhelmed by all the need in the world around us, or we get so caught up in our day-to-day lives, that we miss the people right in front of us who are hurting.

A friend told me about a sign she saw in an ICU room in a hospital. It said, “Please look at me.”  It was a reminder that even patients who may not even be able to respond, need that human eye contact… and they often need that human touch.  My daughters who work in restaurants tell me that there are people who come in who basically just grunt at them, or bark (Four waters!) – and hardly even look at them. Which makes me think about clerks in the grocery store and others who serve us all the time.

The truth is, the need around us is immense. And while there is a lot of good we can do on a larger scale, often the greatest impact we can make is with the person right at hand.

Let us pray: Gracious God, give us eyes to see the needs of the person right in front of us – perhaps even as close as our own kitchen table. May we care as you care; in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Some time ago, I read a touching story. Three times a month, Jermaine Washington and Michelle Stevens get together for what they call a “gratitude lunch.” They do this for a very good reason! Washington donated one of his kidneys to Stevens. 

Originally, they met at work and often ate lunch together. One day Michelle broke down and cried as she spoke about waiting on a kidney donor list for 11 months. She was being sustained by kidney dialysis but suffered chronic fatigue and blackouts. On top of all that, she was plagued by joint pain. Because Washington couldn’t stand the thought of watching his friend suffer, he gave her one of his kidneys. 

It is a beautiful story. And I love their response. I love the idea of a “gratitude lunch.” What a great way to remember and celebrate!

In just a few weeks, we will be celebrating our own “gratitude lunch – or dinner.” But this story made me think about how our lives could be so much richer if we spread a little Thanksgiving celebration all throughout the year.  

I wonder what you have excuses you might come up with to set up a few “gratitude lunches” of your own.

Let us pray: We have so much to be grateful for, O God. May we never fail to notice and celebrate all your blessings; and to give as we have received; through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Today’s message was written by my friend, Rev. Amy Camp.

Laughter, Silliness, Play, Delight, Joy. These are just a few words to describe my feelings as I hear preschoolers playing every day at church.

Jesus says (in Matt 19:14) “Let the little children come to me and do not stop them for to such as these belongs the kingdom of God.” 

Not long ago, a 5-year-old came up to me after chapel saying, “Pastor Amy, I’m going to sing you a song.” Before I could accept or decline, she had already started singing. Not once but twice I politely tried to stop her while she was singing her song. You see, she needed to go back to her classroom with her classmates. And it was time for me to get back to work. And then-boom-I got it. 

Here it is… the kingdom of God- right here, right now, right in front of me…and I almost missed it! God spoke to me through that little girl- through her words, her sweet smile, and her beautiful innocent eyes. God was reaching out to me with love, and I almost did not receive the gift.

Jesus valued children. They know how to be fully present in each moment. They embody wonder, delight, and joy. They trust.

Let us pray: Dear God, thank you for little children and the love, light, and joy that they bring to the world. Make us more like them. Help us to trust as they trust. Help us to believe that you will take care of us-no matter what happens, and you have good things planned for us – a hope and a future! Amen.

The Apostle Paul once wrote, “For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become servants to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:13-14)

Today all across America we are going to the polls to vote. I hope you have voted or will vote today. It is a beautiful thing to live in a country where we have the freedom to vote for our leaders. Please don’t take that freedom for granted. 

My friend Roger Kunkel used to encourage us to ask ourselves, “If everyone were the same kind of citizen I am, what kind of country would we live in?” 

May we be the kind of citizens who use our freedom to make this country and this world a better place. In spite of our political differences help us to listen deeply to one another. Where we disagree with one another – may we do so in a spirit of love.

Let us pray: Most Gracious God, we come before you today with deep gratitude. We thank you that we live in a country where we are free to worship you, free to love and serve others, free to live and work where we please. We thank you also that you have set us free to live by your grace. Help us to use our freedom to join your kingdom work of spreading love, mercy, forgiveness, hope and justice. 

We pray today, especially for the next president of the United States. Whoever that may be, we humbly ask your divine blessing on him or her. Give them your wisdom, and fill them with your Spirit. Use this person, and us as a nation, as an instrument of your peace, mercy, and love. In Christ’ name we pray. Amen.

Today’s message was written by Rev. Dr. Roger Kunkel, founder of Dial Hope.

Listen to this profound epitaph found on an English gravestone: “What I kept, I lost. What I spent, I had. What I gave, I have.” 

Friend of Dial Hope, as you well know, the art of keeping isn’t all bad. There will always be secrets to keep, treasures to store, and memories to hold tightly. But some of us keep compulsively; we keep, keep, keep. We are hoarders. Although we keep actual objects, we lose the joy of possession. In spending, we no longer withhold or hide something. 

This epitaph closes by reminding us that when we leave life, we only have what we gave and shared in love and trust. And this is one of life’s most difficult lessons to learn. Yet learn it you must, if you want a full life. When our lives come to the end, we will realize that we are the sum of our gifts – gifts of joy, gifts of time, gifts of dissent, gifts of comfort – all our gifts. We are not the sum of our possessions. We are not the sum of our accomplishments. We are finally the sum of our gifts. The persons I most respect are givers and not takers. Let’s hear it for generosity and gratitude. 

Let us pray: Extravagant God, you have given the ultimate gift, the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ. We thank you for the gift of friendship with Jesus. Now help us to embrace each day as a gift, something sacred and special; a day to play with children, visit an older person, hug a friend; a day to do something generous and kind. Surprise us now with your joy and grace in unexpected places. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.