September 22, 2009
Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
By Beth DeCristofaro
King Darius issued an order to the officials of West-of-Euphrates: “Let the governor and the elders of the Jews continue the work on that house of God; they are to rebuild it on its former site. (Ezra 6:8)
He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.” (Luke 8:21)
Piety
I rejoiced when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD."… Here are the thrones of justice, the thrones of the house of David. For the peace of Jerusalem pray: "May those who love you prosper! May peace be within your ramparts, prosperity within your towers." (from Psalm 122)
Study
In Houston, Texas in the early 1990’s, a drug bust went bad and an innocent bystander was killed. Dede was the light of her mom’s life, only 27 years old. The murderer received a 20+ year sentence. Dede’s mom, Mother Arna Washington was an active church member, beloved by many who were in her Sunday school classes. She was inconsolable over the death of her daughter and at each parole hearing, spoke against parole for the convicted murderer, Ron Flowers.
Then, some fifteen years later, to her shock, her own beloved church community began an aggressive outreach to prisoners. In addition to bible study classes there were life skills classes and one-to-one mentoring in the jails. And to add to the horror, she found out that her own pastor was mentoring Ron Flowers. She demanded that the outreach be stopped, crying in hurt betrayal. Her pastor listened patiently and explained to her that he found that the murderer was a changed man, that Flowers had allowed Jesus into his life, and that the pastor found that he had work to do for and with this man. And, he gently added, “I find that I have work to do with you, too, Mrs. W”.
Although she was still angry, Mrs. W accepted the challenge to lead Bible study in the prison although not directly with Flowers. She found herself uncomfortably moved by the stories of the incarcerated men and their dedication to living a Christian life. She did not appear at the next hearing and Flowers was released on parole. He continued working with the pastor, found a steady job and reintegrated into civilian life.
Several years went by and graduation from the mentoring program was to be held at the church. Mother Washington decided to go in loyalty to the program and, she told herself, to see what had become of the murderer of her daughter. When she arrived, she found Flowers in a back hall, hiding because he was so afraid of what she would say to him. She stood looking at him and something within her let loose. You have worked so hard, she told him. Where is your mother today on your graduation day? The response: she gave up on me. I have not seen her since I entered prison 15 years ago.
She wrapped her arms around him and said “You need a mother. I will be your mother.” They cried together for a long time. She cheered for him at graduation that day. They began to attend worship at Rock Creek United Methodist Church together and she routinely invited him for dinner at her house. Mother Arna stood up for Flowers at his wedding three years later and he was at her bedside when she died.
Who were Jesus’ kinfolk in this true-life story? Flowers, Mother Arna, Pastor Homer Williams heard the word of God and acted on it.
Action
Can we accept that God loves us even when we worship false gods or ignore the will of God? Can we love others who are wrong, mean, misguided, or hurtful - because God loves us? Through our actions are we building the house of God for those who are in exile? Or do we exile others because we cannot believe in, accept and share God’s unconditional love?
In what way do you hear the word of God and act on it?
