Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world. [James 1:27]
Last June, Sue and I had the opportunity to go to Assisi, Italy and serve in an Evangelical church there. (With the help of AI, their men’s ministry has our Man Up! studies in Italian!) It was our first time in this beautiful hill town in the middle of the boot made famous by Francis (of Assisi). Unlike many Italian cities and churches, there was a sense of intentional spiritual fervor in Assisi. It can be attributed to the ongoing influence of their 12th century patron saint. Francis’ spiritual awakening reminds me of the James passage above and of our commitment to the Dalit of India.
Lepers were the outcasts of Francis’ community. He would consistently turn away from them in disgust and repugnance when they approached him. His revulsion added to their humiliation and suffering. Until one day, something clicked in Francis’ spirit. For the first time, he perceived in the leper standing before him the image of God and the embodiment of our Lord’s beauty. This outcast was a human being to be loved and cared for tenderly. By embracing the leper, Francis learned to embrace all people just as Christ did. Francis and his “friar” colleagues nursed and bathed the lepers, thus beginning the Franciscan tradition of giving special attention to the poor and outcast.
Sue and I will never forget the history and spirit of Assisi and the humble monk who hailed from there. As Christ followers, may we never forget what the Lord deems “pure and undefiled religion.”
November 5: We are publishing this first entry of the new version of my blog on America’s election day. Purely coincidental. And I promise I won’t write a lot about politics. It primarily divides and embitters, and I’d rather have us thinking more about the Kingdom of God than the kingdom of man. (Though our citizenship in the former ought to impact our citizenship in the latter.) Besides, we’re all a bit tired of the rancor and endless character body-slamming, right?
So, as we head to the voting booths today (I voted already as I am leaving for India today. I didn’t want to leave earlier and miss all those political ads and media sound bites :), let me encourage you to refrain from adopting the tones of fear, hate, and panic that have been so prevalent in our political rhetoric. And let’s remind ourselves that our hope is in God’s Kingdom, not man’s. Let’s let His light outshine the ugly darkness that will continue, regardless of who wins. As Christian people, let’s set the example of civility.
And just in case you could use a little levity amid the serious business and rhetoric surrounding the election and our great nation, here is SNL and Nate Bargatze in the nick of time. (Even if you’ve seen it already, it’s still funny the second time around.)
Speaking of India: I never get used to the wall-to-wall people that I experience when I am in the cities there. The vast array of bright colors and the symphony of sounds are everywhere. And I also never get used to the faces of the dear ones: young children, used and abused women, all victims of a system of castes and sexism that preys on them. The work that I/we are a part of most accurately applies the words of James above. The hard and spiritual work that Dignity Freedom Network does is so pure. Thank you, Trinity Church, in advance for generously participating in our annual Advent DFN/India project. And thanks for your prayers while I am there.
Last Sunday’s Sermon: Every Monday morning, Kathy asks me, “Which sermon, first or second service?” She takes my pick and puts it on Trinity’s website. To be honest, I am never completely happy with either. There is always something I wish I had said more clearly or, perhaps, left out. But I am glad and somewhat amazed that the Lord uses the imperfect messages of this imperfect pastor to encourage and instruct you. Your stories of how God used something in a sermon to bless or convict you is always an encouragement to me. Last week’s message from Ephesians 5 looked into the kind of people we ought to be on election day and always. To hear it or hear it again, click here.
Prayer
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life. Amen.
[Francis of Assisi]
