Saint Benedict Episcopal Church

The daily news tells of world-wide disease, poverty, sickness and hunger that seem unending. Greed and the worship of power are rampant. How can we possibly make a difference? Where is God in all this?

God is in it all, we just need to recognize it; and recognize that we are in it as well. We are Jesus’ hands and feet; we are the disciples sent out now to cure illness and call out demons. It’s part of our Baptismal Covenant.

We are to build our lives, our relationships, our businesses and governments upon an attitude of welcome – even extravagant welcome. And we are to name and call out the life-taking demons of greed and power.

But being the human creatures we are, we fail miserably at being hospitable and caring; and we let the demons of greed andpower into our lives. Look at our world: slavery, apartheid, violence, greed and fraud, assassinations world-wide of the many who work for freedom and peace, Makes one want to throw up one’s hands and say “I quit.”

Wait, there is hope out there. A recent article in the LA Times, written by a reporter who spent 2 weeks in Myanmar, (written anonymously to protect sources) says the impoverished hurricane victims seemingly ignored by their government are finding covert ways to help each other in spite of crushing want; it’s dangerous work; but the work is going forward and the truth is getting out. I believe God is in these acts of mercy and justice, whether or not the workers are Christian.

Another article, this one from ENS, spoke of persecuted Christians in Zimbabwe worshiping God with great joy and zeal, even knowing they can be arrested, jailed, beaten or worse.

And many young people, questioning Christians and exploring non-believers, are seeking fellowship in emerging churches – churches that don’t always resemble what many of us are used to, but churches that are vital and growing and welcoming.

Perhaps if we can learn to truly embrace God’s extravagant love for all others and ourselves it will create a ripple effect of blessings and help bring about the life-giving existence God desires for all Creation now.

Isn’t that what Jesus did?