“All’s Right With the World – Or Not”
November 20, 2016 – Reign of Christ Sunday – Year C
sing VU # 148 – Jesus, Remember Me
Linda is Mom to 3 teenage girls. She worked for a car dealership. I say worked, for she was caught embezzling money from the company and ultimately was fired from the dealership and was incarcerated for a period of time. The family’s financial struggles were known by the neighbours and friends, alike. She was a devoted Mom and would do anything to help out the struggling family. And she got caught. Linda and her husband farmed in the community that I lived in and I got to know them as they became regular church attenders. As I got to know this kind, strong, determined woman, I grew to really like her. In Linda, I saw Christ, hanging on the cross – head bent, with criminals on either side. Christ was ready to redeem Linda.
sing VU # 148 – Jesus, Remember Me
Many nights we have people sleeping on our front steps or under one of our fire escapes. Last Saturday Sue Butchard came in to the church to prepare for a funeral. She encountered a very ill woman and her 2 German Shephard dogs huddled under our back fire escape. Sue reached out with grace, compassion, and love and sought assistance for the woman and her dogs. Thanks to the help of Critteraid, the dogs are being looked after, and I was able to take the woman to hospital and get her the medical care she needed. Each of the people who use our property as shelter are the living Christ. Sue too, was the compassionate Christ for the woman who needed medical care.
sing VU # 148 – Jesus, Remember Me
Hugh is an artist who challenges the viewer to see the devastation facing the world. Much of his work is 3 dimensional. A superficial look at the art piece and you might miss the stirring message. Environmental destruction, war, and injustice are just some of the topics he addresses in his high quality work. Hugh has taken a number of exposure trips around the world to learn from people whose traditions, experiences, and values are different from his own. He is richer and wiser for these opportunities. He would worship at the church I served in Swift Current Saskatchewan. Through him, I met Christ, the advocate for the planet.
sing VU # 148 – Jesus, Remember Me
Scripture is full of many different images of Christ. We are introduced to the frustrated and angry Jesus as the market square when he overturns the tables. We see the tender Jesus taking children upon his knee. We meet the compassionate Christ healing blind Bartamaeus . We encounter the wise Christ teaching the disciples about the blessings that come with mercy, peace, and forbearance. We experience Christ as we journey with Apostle Paul and other early Christians. Each situation and vignette introduces us to the Christ who we remember with thanksgiving and gratitude.
I invite you to open your eyes and your hearts, so that you will encounter Christ in every person you meet. Christ comes in surprising forms, but always with righteousness. May your hearts be open so that you will recognize Christ. May your eyes be open so that you will see Christ. May your Spirits be open so you will unite as one with Christ. Amen.
sing VU # 148 – Jesus, Remember Me
Penticton United Church 