The Least Among Us
This is the second is a series of reflections during this unusual time.
Community and caring for the elderly, the sick, and the economically insecure in the midst of COVID-19
One of the first comparisons I heard colleagues draw to this moment in ministry was to that of the Early Church in the years immediately following Christ’s crucifixion; scattered in cities across the Ancient Near East, meeting in secret, gathered in Upper Rooms and small homes. From these humble beginnings the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ grew from a small counter-cultural movement into a living manifestation of God’s reign on earth. Through persecution and oppression, the Church lived and flourished, because it committed to three things: preaching, communing, and healing.
In the continuation of Luke’s account which is preserved in “Acts of the Apostles” we read of Peter’s great preaching skills and the coming of the Holy Spirit, we read the story of the Church’s transformation and expansion, we hear of how God disrupts old systems of being and realigns what it means to be faithful. It should not be lost on us that as the second chapter of Acts comes to a close, the first converts on that day of Pentecost do three things that will be crucial for the Church today in the midst of COVID-19 and for each of us as believers:
This is what the Church does, we specialize in the proclamation of the Word, the observance of the Lord’s Supper, and in meeting the practical needs of our neighbors. This is who we are, and perhaps this pandemic is an opportunity to refocus on this work that is the core of what it means to be the Church.
I recently received a message from a member of the congregation where I grew up. They informed me that one of my former youth leaders, who had recently become a grandmother, had tragically lost her granddaughter who was barely two weeks old. When I called her, she was busying herself, caring for her family and everyone around. During our call she informed me that I was part of a long line of people who had called to pray with her, offer condolences, and just sit in silence over the phone. She let me know that the many calls, the long line of people taking time to remember her, was making living out each of those painful moments just a bit more possible.
The human spirit will always find ways to come together. Even now, throughout this past week there’s been a proliferation of congregations creating Facebook pages, coordinating conference calls, and some live-streamed their worship service for the first time this past Sunday. And as we reimagine what community looks like while we practice social distancing and worship as the Church Scattered, we must also commit to doing those things at the core of what it means to be Church: adhering to the Word of God, communing with one another, even from a distance, and seeing about the needs of those among us who are hurting, who are broken, who most require the loving presence of Christ. And so that there is no confusion, we are Christ in the world today, we are Christ’s hands and feet, and so, we must show up.
This point is made plainly in this week’s lectionary reading from the Gospel of John. In the selection we read of the death of Lazarus, his sister’s grief, and Jesus’ response. But here is what stands out to me most, particularly as we navigate this new reality: Jesus shows up, Jesus never loses hope, and Jesus remembers who he is. Apt advice for us as we seek to meet the needs of those who are most vulnerable throughout the course of this pandemic.
When we unpack John’s account of this moment, we recognize that Jesus is far from Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. The text says that Jesus delays going to see Mary and Martha in their time of grief. Although Christ delays going to see the family of his deceased friend, showing up remains a priority. Once Jesus arrives, he speaks with Martha and says simply, “Your brother will rise again.” Articulating a stubborn, almost foolish hope that I believe should be a model of what daily faithfulness looks like.
But lastly, in the midst of this mourning and grief, Jesus reminds everyone who he is: “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” This is the question we all must answer, do we believe that Jesus is who Jesus says he is? And if so, then we know what we must do. Call those in our congregations who are alone, who are sick, who are brokenhearted, and call them often. Check in on those members of the congregation who normally fall through the cracks and hide in plain sight. See about the people we have been entrusted with. These are skills that we have always had, and now is the opportunity to sharpen them.
My friends, now is the time to show up. Do not shrink from the responsibility, do not assume someone else will do it. We are the Church, we specialize in proclaiming the Word, we are experts at fellowship, we are known by the depth of the love we share, the needs we meet, and the care we offer.
My prayer for each of us is simply this: when we are called to give account of this time, may Christ say to us, “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.”
Amen.
Community and caring for the elderly, the sick, and the economically insecure in the midst of COVID-19
One of the first comparisons I heard colleagues draw to this moment in ministry was to that of the Early Church in the years immediately following Christ’s crucifixion; scattered in cities across the Ancient Near East, meeting in secret, gathered in Upper Rooms and small homes. From these humble beginnings the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ grew from a small counter-cultural movement into a living manifestation of God’s reign on earth. Through persecution and oppression, the Church lived and flourished, because it committed to three things: preaching, communing, and healing.
In the continuation of Luke’s account which is preserved in “Acts of the Apostles” we read of Peter’s great preaching skills and the coming of the Holy Spirit, we read the story of the Church’s transformation and expansion, we hear of how God disrupts old systems of being and realigns what it means to be faithful. It should not be lost on us that as the second chapter of Acts comes to a close, the first converts on that day of Pentecost do three things that will be crucial for the Church today in the midst of COVID-19 and for each of us as believers:
- They devoted themselves to the teachings of the Apostles and being in fellowship
- They committed to the celebration of Communion
- They pledged to care for any among them who had need
This is what the Church does, we specialize in the proclamation of the Word, the observance of the Lord’s Supper, and in meeting the practical needs of our neighbors. This is who we are, and perhaps this pandemic is an opportunity to refocus on this work that is the core of what it means to be the Church.
I recently received a message from a member of the congregation where I grew up. They informed me that one of my former youth leaders, who had recently become a grandmother, had tragically lost her granddaughter who was barely two weeks old. When I called her, she was busying herself, caring for her family and everyone around. During our call she informed me that I was part of a long line of people who had called to pray with her, offer condolences, and just sit in silence over the phone. She let me know that the many calls, the long line of people taking time to remember her, was making living out each of those painful moments just a bit more possible.
The human spirit will always find ways to come together. Even now, throughout this past week there’s been a proliferation of congregations creating Facebook pages, coordinating conference calls, and some live-streamed their worship service for the first time this past Sunday. And as we reimagine what community looks like while we practice social distancing and worship as the Church Scattered, we must also commit to doing those things at the core of what it means to be Church: adhering to the Word of God, communing with one another, even from a distance, and seeing about the needs of those among us who are hurting, who are broken, who most require the loving presence of Christ. And so that there is no confusion, we are Christ in the world today, we are Christ’s hands and feet, and so, we must show up.
This point is made plainly in this week’s lectionary reading from the Gospel of John. In the selection we read of the death of Lazarus, his sister’s grief, and Jesus’ response. But here is what stands out to me most, particularly as we navigate this new reality: Jesus shows up, Jesus never loses hope, and Jesus remembers who he is. Apt advice for us as we seek to meet the needs of those who are most vulnerable throughout the course of this pandemic.
When we unpack John’s account of this moment, we recognize that Jesus is far from Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. The text says that Jesus delays going to see Mary and Martha in their time of grief. Although Christ delays going to see the family of his deceased friend, showing up remains a priority. Once Jesus arrives, he speaks with Martha and says simply, “Your brother will rise again.” Articulating a stubborn, almost foolish hope that I believe should be a model of what daily faithfulness looks like.
But lastly, in the midst of this mourning and grief, Jesus reminds everyone who he is: “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” This is the question we all must answer, do we believe that Jesus is who Jesus says he is? And if so, then we know what we must do. Call those in our congregations who are alone, who are sick, who are brokenhearted, and call them often. Check in on those members of the congregation who normally fall through the cracks and hide in plain sight. See about the people we have been entrusted with. These are skills that we have always had, and now is the opportunity to sharpen them.
My friends, now is the time to show up. Do not shrink from the responsibility, do not assume someone else will do it. We are the Church, we specialize in proclaiming the Word, we are experts at fellowship, we are known by the depth of the love we share, the needs we meet, and the care we offer.
My prayer for each of us is simply this: when we are called to give account of this time, may Christ say to us, “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.”
Amen.
—J. Henry Narcisse, M.Div.
Joshua was a PC(USA) delegate to the 2018 CANAAC General Assembly.
He is currently serving as a pastoral resident in Memphis, Tennessee.
Joshua was a PC(USA) delegate to the 2018 CANAAC General Assembly.
He is currently serving as a pastoral resident in Memphis, Tennessee.