Once again another moving reflection by Robert Schnase. Imagine watching the man at the hospital walk away alone after loosing his wife, her wedding ring and eyeglasses in an envelope. How sad. Thinking back to my own experiences of loss it is hard for me to imagine not having a supportive community surrounding me while I went through it all. Yet so many people "go it alone." Many because they don't know a loving, caring community/church that would welcome/care for them. I think so many people have written off church because of past experience, past hurt or just because it was never a positive (or any) influence in their lives.
I love the image of the king who says go and invite everyone into the banquet... "Go search the streets and bring them all in!!!" the King shouted. I believe that is God's message to us about our "banquet."
When was the last time you invited someone to church? Not in a preachy way but just in a "I know you are sort of lonely and need some support" way. I know it tends to be hard for us New Englander's to invite someone to church without feeling like the next thing we will be doing is standing on the corner handing out religious fliers. It question is: How will that man who just lost his wife know there is a warm safe place for him to heal if we don't invite him? How will that friend know that there is a larger purpose in his/her life if we don't introduce them to place we heard that message? Again we must face the question: Who does God have, but us?
I await your thoughts on the reflection . Rev. Patty
