Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26
It began 5 years ago when Jerry…my 4 pm coffee buddy for many years…
- And a retired computer technician…met a young clerk at a 7-Eleven.
- He complimented her on the way she deftly handled a complaining customer.
- During their conversation…he learned that the young woman had dropped out of college…
- Because someone had stolen her laptop when she was taking online classes.
- Wanting to help her…he refurbished a laptop he had and gave it to her…gratis.
- She was able to go on and complete her associate’s degree in business.
- That was the beginning of his work as the “Tech Angel.”
- He collects broken laptops and computers.
- Repairs them and gives them to those in need.
- Over the last five years he has given away more than 300 computers…laptops and tablets to students and families.
- While his work often changes the lives of those he helps…
- The 76-year-old retiree benefits as well:
- “It keeps me busy…keeps me challenged.
- I’ve got the skill.
- I’ve got the time.
- I’ve got the resources.
- So…who wouldn’t do it?
- For me to spend my time productively to the benefit of others is my reward.”
Maria runs a small restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch.
- The place is her life.
- Her regulars are like family.
- I know because Susan and I were regulars.
- I know…because it was my second congregation to the one I served in Seminole Florida.
- I baptized and counseled and married and buried many of the regulars who ate there.
- Maria often struggled to keep her little café open.
- But she also saw the struggle of many families to put food on their tables.
- So…after she closed each day…she gathered up leftover food…soup and fresh bread and drove it over to a local soup kitchen for the evening meal.
- Thanks to the community…she is doing OK.
- So…she is happy to give back.
They have discovered the truth of the adage:
- If want to master something…teach it.
- So…these students…high school seniors at the church I was serving at the time…
- Carved out an afternoon a week to serve as tutors at a local after-school program for kids-at-risk.
- The smiles on these young children’s faces when they showed them the “A” they got on their latest math test…
- Or…writing assignment was the absolute best.
- But they soon discovered that their own writing skills had sharpened.
- And their ability to grasp the material in their science and math classes had improved also.
- No mystery…really.
Jane Hamrick…a disciple/member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd…in Seminole Florida…was a firecracker.
- Jane made men’s ties.
- She would say:
- “Go over to JOANN Fabric and get the material you want for your tie.
- And I will make it for you.
And she always had…with her…hundreds of ties she had ready-made.
- In case you did not want to go to JOANNS.
- And she would take you out to the truck of her car.
- I was always embarrassed to go out to her car-trunk with her.
- Because I knew it looked like a drug deal was going down.
- I really should not have been concerned.
- Jane was in her 90’s at the time.
- And she would sell the ties for $15 or $20 dollars…I don’t remember.
- But all the money would go to Lutheran Services of Florida.
- Jane joined the Saints of Heaven a while ago now.
- What a joy she was.
And over the years…think about it.
- The woman’s groups that made and continue to do so.
- Quilts and prayer shawls and hats and blankets for babies.
- And the men…gardeners and fixers and builders for Habitat.
It’s that simple:
- To follow Jesus…as Matthew is called to do.
- It is a matter of acting out of the spirit of compassion and generosity as Jesus does in the Gospel.
- No matter what “booth” we work at.
- No matter what our skills.
- Our simple acts of charity.
- Our joy in giving and sharing whatever little we have.
- Our reaching out to someone whose needs are as great as our own.
- Are the “fringe of Jesus’ cloak.”
- That the poor…the sick…the troubled and hurting can grasp and be made well.
The Kingdom of God is within our grasp here and now.
- All we must do is be as merciful as we have been shown mercy.
- To love as we have been loved.
- To lift up as we have been grasped by God.