A number of years ago, a young man named Shane Claiborne was invited to speak at a gathering of Indiana United Methodists. He shared a story that went back to his college days. He, and his roommate, wanted to make a difference in the world and chose nor to take the easy route. Instead, they decided that they would find a way to get in contact with Mother Teresa, and then go to Calcutta, India and volunteer to work with her. Believe it or not, they did just that.
Shane said, when they were volunteering there, children would sometimes come up to them and ask them for gifts. However, volunteers, like Shane, were told, sternly, by the leadership, not to give the children anything. There are so manychildren in need, and there was concern that opening that door could cause a small riot. But Shane said that there was one child who just took his heart. So, he found an ice cream cone, tracked down the little guy, and gave it to him. The boy held the cone, staring at it, and was mesmerized by it.
Then, in an act of care and generosity, the boy called out to his friends, “Hey, everyone, Shane found ice cream! We ‘re going to form a line, and everyone can have one lick.” And, each of them did. Then, the boy said to Shane, “Now you can have a turn, and take a lick.” While Shane knew he was likely risking getting sick, he also realized that there was no way he could reject this act of utter kindness, generosity and sacred hospitality.
In worship, on this fifth Sunday of Lent, we will enter into the story of Jesus coming to share a meal with his friends Lazarus, Mary and Martha. While Martha served those at table, Mary took a pound of expensive perfume, broke it open and anointed Jesus’ feet. Judas, who was also present, challenged Mary, saying the perfume should have been sold, with the money given to the poor. However, Jesus responds “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial”.
This week, we are each invited to reflect upon what it might mean for us to “come alive through sacred hospitality”, as individuals and as a community of faith. The scripture passages for this Sunday invite us to reflect on this, The first lesson arises from the Hebrew Scriptures (based on Psalm 126: 1-6), and will be read by Kristen Hess. The second lesson, from the Gospels (based on John12:1-8), will be read by Jonathan Michaelsen.
In worship, we will first gather and greet one another. All children are invited to ring us into worship, with the bells. The Chancel Choir, directed by Gerry Sousa and accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs, will lead us in music. There will be a Children’s Moment. We will pray and reflect. Leana McClain will share a Mission Moment. We will also celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion. If you are joining worship by livestream, you are invited to have some bread/crackers and juice available. The sermon title is “Coming Alive through Sacred Hospitality.