I am reminded of the guy who slipped and fell down a flight of stairs.
He stood up, shook it off and said, “I’m glad that’s behind me.”
The year 2021 is almost behind us. While along the way there have been many blessings and joys, there is also great sadness. Loved ones are gone and things will never be the same. We are still in a pandemic, inflation is hitting us hard, people are still going hungry, searching for a place to live, struggling to make ends meet.
Will 2022 be any different?
A friend shared with me how hard it is to be a non-anxious presence in the current times; we can only hope to be a less anxious presence during these times of trials and troubles.
How can we help others during this coming year?
Jesus’s parable in Matthew 25:31-46 is referred to as the “The Judgement of the Nations.” Jesus tells how nations’ people will be judged. It will not be by success, fame or fortune. Jesus says, what is important is to help and care for other people. Jesus says the kindness we show with simple actions will go a long way in helping others. We can help others by giving food to those who are hungry and water to those who are thirsty. We welcome and befriend the stranger and offer clothes to those who are in need. We pray and care for the sick and visit those in trouble or in jail.
The amazing thing about Jesus’ parable is he says, when you show kindness and help others, you are showing kindness to me. In the parable, those who helped were blessed by the words, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
On the other hand, he lets it be known, when you withhold kindness from others you are withholding it from him. Those who did not help were sad to hear, “Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.”
The kindness which honors God is the kindness given knowing there is nothing that will be given in return.
In his book, The Mood of Christmas and Other Celebrations, theologian and activist Howard Thurman shared one of his most well known meditations.
He entitled it “The Work of Christmas:”
“When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among others,
To make music in the heart.”
Christmas 2021 is over but the work of Christmas continues in the New Year.
Lord, by your grace, help us to show kindness to our neighbors and strangers. Let our lives be an offering to you in the coming New Year. Amen.
Eric Reece is the faith columnist for The Graham Star. He is the pastor of Robbinsville United Methodist Church. Email him at ereece@wnccumc.net