Readings for today (Proper 5, Track 1)
What would Matthew’s story of Jesus walking along look like if we set it in our neighborhood, 7th-9th Avenues, between James and Madison?
In Matthew 9, Jesus is already well-known. He has called the fishermen Peter and Andrew, and James and John; given the Sermon on the Mount; healed many people; stilled the stormy sea with a word; cast demons into a herd of pigs; and most recently healed a paralyzed man. At this point, who hasn’t heard of him?
Everywhere he goes, peoples’ lives are changed by hearing him. The living Word of God speaks to the Holy within all creation, calling us to healing, wholeness, and full lives.
Imagine Jesus walking down 8th Avenue past our front gate, or down the hill on Cherry Street. Not the guy in flowing robes and sandals with a leather headband. Maybe jeans and practical hikers, a fleece vest over a t-shirt. Some sort of bag slung over his shoulder. Hands free to shake, comfort, offer a bottle of refreshing water.
He calls out to the curious barista at the coffee shop, or to the vigilant homeless person, “Follow me.” And they come out, get up, and go with him, joining a small group already following him, handing out snacks and water, offering smiles and blankets and directions to a nearby full-service resource center which hosts mail delivery, meals, clean restrooms, and laundry facilities.
Jesus stops in at Bishop Lewis House for conversation. He invites the residents and staff to join him and his followers, along with neighbors from the encampment and Plymouth Housing and WHEEL, to an impromptu picnic. Where everyone eats plenty, laughing and talking, listening and telling stories.
As they eat, a woman from the encampment, unwashed and unkempt, slowly edges toward Jesus. Deep in conversation, he does not notice as she reaches to touch his sleeve. Mutter to herself, “Just his sleeve. Just his sleeve. Make me well. I want to be well. I want to go home.” Noticing her from the corner of his eye, he turns and says, “My daughter, you ARE well. You are loved and beautiful and whole.” Her eyes clear, she straightens up, looks him in the eye, and says, “I believe.”
A frantic person comes running to tell him someone has overdosed on the corner at 7th and Cherry. Without hesitation, Jesus grabs his bag and phone and goes to be present at a life or death moment. A few disciples follow along, bearing witness as Narcan revives the person.
Jesus’ ministry in Matthew centers people on the margins of society. He calls, eats with, heals and revives people who would typically be ignored by those whose lives are comfortable.
Matthew ends with Jesus sending us all to continue the ministry he began on earth. The Holy Spirit moves in each of us differently, igniting our hearts and minds with passions that move us to action. As a community, we here at Trinity, are blessed with a variety of gifts.
Jesus invites us out of our comfortable seats, like he invited Matthew to leave the tax booth where he was sure of his role, to learn with him about ministry in our neighborhood.
The Holy Spirit is stirring in us, in this place, in our city, and in our Vestry. Inviting us to curiosity, conversation, and co-creation.
In May the Vestry chose for Trinity to focus this coming year on Stewardship of our Neighborhood. At today’s Vestry meeting, we will be dreaming about what our neighborhood could look like a year from now, with Trinity’s involvement. I am really excited to hear what the Vestry and the Holy Spirit will envision today.
Ideas and ways to steward our relationship with our neighbors are already organically taking shape. We have been listening to the Spirit, and following the excitement of our passions and energy to meet some needs of our community. A few things are already planned for this summer:
Joining with Episcopalians for PRIDE in 2 weeks (June 24 and 25)
Hands on service project creating hygiene kits on July 16
All ages Game Day on August 20
I feel the Holy Spirit stirring in me, and I am looking to you for affirmation that this is the way God is calling us, and for accountability to be brave as we try new things in ministry, living into God’s reign of justice, thriving, and love for all people.
Ready? Here we go.
I am feeling called to use my time and focus on two new things in the next two months: creating new space in worship to engage children, and coordinating Night Out on August 1. I am really excited about these two ways of reaching our neighbors and learning more about them and what they care about.
And I wonder what you are excited about doing with Trinity.
What little bit can you do? Can you make phone calls? Help shop for furniture for the kids’ space? Find a fun band for Night Out? Meet the firetruck?
What connections do you have? Do you know a print shop who might donate Trinity t-shirts or other swag? A grocer or restaurant who might donate food?
Ministry happens and community grows when we all invest something of our time, talent, and treasure. How is HS stirring in you?
Back to our Jesus in jeans and a fleece. He feels familiar, approachable, wise, and ready for whatever he encounters as he travels the city.
He meets people where they are: in streets, at work, at school, at home.
He listens with curiosity and love, to learn about what matters to them, the burdens they carry, the wholeness they desire.
Peoples’ lives are changed when they encounter Jesus, even in the briefest brush of his clothing.
In Jesus they find healing, hope, life, belonging, possibility of a thriving future, their hunger satiated and thirst satisfied.
The Holy reflects in every person. Jesus sees it, and recognizes himself in them.
Trinity, we are Jesus in our neighborhood, in this city, and in the world.
God of grace, you invite the despised, you touch the unclean, you lift the head of those who are brought low: give us that hope against all hope for a world transformed by your healing touch and empower us to be vessels through which you change the world; through Jesus Christ, the mercy of God. Amen.(1)
(1) Steven Shakespeare, Prayers for an Inclusive Church (2009, Church Publishing), collect for Proper 5A.
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