Saturday after Ash Wednesday - February 29
Isaiah 58:9-14 Luke 5:27-32
As I thought about writing this refl ection, I happened to be spending a few
days out of town with my sisters. When I read aloud today’s gospel, one of
them said: “Well, that’s about judgment and how we so often judge others –
incorrectly.”
In the fall of 2018, I attended the funeral of a young family friend who died
accidentally while abroad. Kevin was an unconventional and searching soul
who lived without a steady job or housing, or any of the things most of us
consider essential. Kevin’s ways were often inexplicable but it was impossible
not to love him. So on that day, the church was fi lled with heartache as the
homilist told a story that will ever describe for me the gift that was Kevin.
While on that trip abroad, Kevin found himself in Berlin’s city square,
feeling lonely and far away from people he loved. As he wandered around,
he saw a man sitting in the square, begging for money. Kevin watched the
man for a while and then he approached and knelt before him. Kevin looked
into the man’s face and searched the man’s eyes. Then Kevin lowered his
head and asked for the beggar’s blessing. When he walked away from the
encounter, Kevin told his mother, his loneliness had vanished.
Kevin was a fully human being who often frustrated those who loved him.
But he had the uncanny ability to see things most of us miss: the presence of
God within those we encounter.
Who among us would look at a beggar and think to ask for his blessing? For
that matter, who among us would look at the folks we encounter during a
day -- in person, at the store, on the phone, at the workplace, in school, at
home, in the news -- and see the opportunity to love rather than judge the
worthiness of others?
Today’s gospel concludes with an invitation to change our hearts. In this
season of grace, may my heart and yours see the presence of God in those
we encounter. And may Kevin’s spirit of generosity guide me along the way.
Q: As I think about the past 48 hours, did I see the presence of God in others,
particularly those with whom I struggle?
As I thought about writing this refl ection, I happened to be spending a few
days out of town with my sisters. When I read aloud today’s gospel, one of
them said: “Well, that’s about judgment and how we so often judge others –
incorrectly.”
In the fall of 2018, I attended the funeral of a young family friend who died
accidentally while abroad. Kevin was an unconventional and searching soul
who lived without a steady job or housing, or any of the things most of us
consider essential. Kevin’s ways were often inexplicable but it was impossible
not to love him. So on that day, the church was fi lled with heartache as the
homilist told a story that will ever describe for me the gift that was Kevin.
While on that trip abroad, Kevin found himself in Berlin’s city square,
feeling lonely and far away from people he loved. As he wandered around,
he saw a man sitting in the square, begging for money. Kevin watched the
man for a while and then he approached and knelt before him. Kevin looked
into the man’s face and searched the man’s eyes. Then Kevin lowered his
head and asked for the beggar’s blessing. When he walked away from the
encounter, Kevin told his mother, his loneliness had vanished.
Kevin was a fully human being who often frustrated those who loved him.
But he had the uncanny ability to see things most of us miss: the presence of
God within those we encounter.
Who among us would look at a beggar and think to ask for his blessing? For
that matter, who among us would look at the folks we encounter during a
day -- in person, at the store, on the phone, at the workplace, in school, at
home, in the news -- and see the opportunity to love rather than judge the
worthiness of others?
Today’s gospel concludes with an invitation to change our hearts. In this
season of grace, may my heart and yours see the presence of God in those
we encounter. And may Kevin’s spirit of generosity guide me along the way.
Q: As I think about the past 48 hours, did I see the presence of God in others,
particularly those with whom I struggle?
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