Pastoral Pondering
by Pastor Keith Larson
The call came at 12 minutes before 9:00 a.m. on Sunday morning. “Pastor, do you have time to talk? I mostly just need a friend,” said an unfamiliar voice after a two-minute introduction where she hinted that she and her family had visited on a Sunday morning recently. (That was the first hint this tale might not be filled with 100% truthful information – yes I was on vacation a Sunday a few weeks ago, but thought someone would have mentioned that a family visited that day.)
I told her it was a bad time, as worship was beginning in a few minutes. It was the truth, but I still felt like the religious leader in the story of the Good Samaritan who passed by on the other side when he saw the man in need on the road. I gave her a number where she could reach me later. She called back on Monday morning. For many minutes she unraveled a tale of woe and miracles – a broken down car in Wisconsin on the way to “Ma-ko-KEE-ta” for a new job with a construction company – a couple of angels who picked them up, towed their car and fixed the car in their own garage and put the family up for 4 nights and days. Finally, she came to the end of the story and was embarrassed to ask, but needed only $150 to get the rest of the way here and if I went to Wal-mart, I could wire money to her at the Wal-mart in Wisconsin. When asked what company her husband would be working for in “Ma-ko-KEE-ta”, she gave me a name of an unfamiliar company and when I paused, she quickly added that it was in Des Moines, but they did business all over. When I asked for a phone number for the wonderful couple who had taken them in for 4 days, I quickly learned that their pregnant teen-aged daughter had run up their phone bill so high they had to discontinue phone service. When I politely said I did not think our congregation was in a position to help, there was an immediate click as the line went dead. I was not surprised.
I am sure this woman needed assistance – but probably not any help I could give her. It is most frightening that she has made this work in the past, or thinks this will work. And maybe I am all wrong. Maybe it was a legitimate need, although I would not bet on it.
A world full of people has needs – legitimate needs – needing food, medical care, education. And then there are a few people, as there have always been, who are willing to take advantage of the kind and generous ones. There were dozens of good reasons why the Samaritan in the story of the Good Samaritan should not have stopped to help the man lying by the road who appeared to have been beaten up and robbed. Giving and sharing involves risk.
Lent is a time to remember those in need. Giving “alms” is a traditional Lenten discipline from the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus said, “So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you.” “Alms” is an ancient word used most often in religious circles meaning charity for the poor, coming from a Greek word related to showing mercy. There are hundreds of legitimate charities. I commend especially ELCA Hunger Appeal and ELCA Disaster Response. Our ELCA passes these funds through (100%) to other agencies working in particular areas, sometimes to Lutheran World Relief (which is supported by Lutheran denominations and does not therefore have extensive fund-raising costs). I also commend, more locally, Lutheran Services in Iowa, which primarily assists families and children. They operate two institutions in Iowa, Bremwood and Beloit, which provide residential treatment for some of Iowa’s most emotionally troubled children (Bremwood for teens and Beloit for pre-teens). Donations this year at our Lenten Soup suppers will be shared with the Domestic Violence Shelter in Iowa City. Alda Buresh, a former resident of Lost Nation and Oxford Junction shared stories of that place and its needs with our women during February.
In the end, when we share with someone in need, we help the other, but we also are blessed and enriched. That is why it is a suggested Lenten discipline. Blessings as you find ways to assist the poor however you decide is good for you.
