Sent to Ease the Burdens
"Sloughing Towards Galilee!"
"Christian/Catholic Worker Gone Bad!"
"Sent to Ease the Burdens!"
Luke 10:1-9 (The Net Version)
1After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him two by two into every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest. 3Go! I am sending you out like lambs surrounded by wolves. 4. Do not carry a money bag, a traveler’s bag, or sandals, and greet no one on the road. 5Whenever you enter a house, first say, ‘May peace be on this house!’ 6 And if a peace-loving person is there, your peace will remain on him, but if not, it will return to you. 7Stay in that same house, eating and drinking what they give you, for the worker deserves his pay. Do not move around from house to house. 8Whenever you enter a town and the people welcome you, eat what is set before you. 9Heal the sick in that town and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come upon you!’
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Several nights ago, I received a text asking me to bring food, socks, and clothes. Three young men were outside! So I gathered what they asked for and a blanket. Outside, they were standing in the late-night cold, shivering, so we went across the street and bought them donuts and coffee.
One, whom I had never met, blurted out with tears in his eyes: "Do you mean you are doing something nice for each one of us and expect nothing in return?"
His fearful response reminds me of what the seventy-two must have encountered along the way. People needed time to be listened to, and talk, to trust good news. He needed time to let go of his fear I might be some "john" or someone who wanted to hurt him, pretending to be good.
The 40-Day Prayer Fast for a Fair and Just Election calls us to witness good even when darkness, war, poverty, and promises are not kept, and injustices appear in Lamb's clothing! The ". Forty Day Fast" calls each of us into a time of reflecting on our purpose in this election. Is it a selfish purpose? or are we building up castles of thoughts in our minds of what might happen if so and so is elected? One gentleman who is Caucasian and a Muslim shared with me recently, "Father, I am afraid to go to Mosque, and to even mention I am voting the Green Ticket, I was beaten up for both the other night!" This is one example of a man being harmed because of how he is going to vote and his religion! I lost a good friend several years ago because he saw me talking to a Republican!
Or are we called to ease the burdens of the weary, regardless of party or affiliation, or homeless, living in blankets on the street, or in jail? I have not heard one candidate mention "homelessness" so far, so or we going to act?
We are sent among children of despair because of abuse or neglect, youth who have grown deaf to good news.
Luke's good news of Jesus built a community of believers from those huddled against loss and unkindness, and the reality of division because of poverty.
Jesus whispers in our ears to live in love, to kindle the Divine Spark, and let it flame in love and Luke still shows us the beauty of God's Reign on earth. I am a Story-Catcher, catching the stories of anyone in need, or simply wanting to talk. Being a Story-Catcher I have learned, many times the hard way, that each of us is broken, and needs a hand to get through life!
The truth is whatever the election outcome, know this: The arduous work of peace will not be a goal of either party. It's up to us!
In the weeks to come Jesus whispers in our ears to live in love-- and Luke still shows us the beauty of God's sovereignty on earth! Deo Gratias! Thanks be to God!
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May the work of
“figuring people out”
Never replace the work of knowing people
And loving people
And giving them room
To confound
And inspire
And surprise me
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30th Anniversary Celebration
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Victor’s Pizza
6 p.m.
November 9, 2024
WE ARE BEGGARS! WE REALLY NEED MONEY--Really Badly At the moment!
FOR FOOD, SOCKS, HARM REDUCTION AND OTHER SERVICES!
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Homeless People Are Made In God's Image!
Come Join us in Protest Against the Cruelty of the City of San Francisco!
Wednesday, October 18, 2024
Noon.
Polk side of City Hall
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Temenos Catholic Worker
P.O. Box 642656
San Francisco, CA 94164
Dr. River Damien Carlos Sims, D.Min, D.S.T.
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