Week 2. Day 2 – Service in Love

On Spirit. Above all. Through all. In all

Oh mortal, what is good;
 And what does the Lord require of you
 But to do justice,
 and to love kindness,
 and to walk humbly with your God?”
 Micah 6:8S

Pastor Fern stands at a long table, acrylic gloves on each hand, her hair tucked inside a cap and an apron tied around her waist. In front of her is a large pot of savory stew with steam rising to her face.  She smiles as she pours a large serving into a bowl held by a homeless man standing in front of her.

Fern is happy to serve the hungry on this Monday morning. But today she is most grateful for the people she is standing with, colleagues from the Religious Workers Association on the college campus, and wearing hats, aprons and gloves. 

On her right is Rabbi Joseph. Initially, Pastor Fern took offense when the Rabbi refused to shake her hand. Yet, as she learned from him, Fern knows Rabbi Joseph is simply following the tradition that gives him life. Out of honor for him and trusting her own desire for respect as a Christian, Fern now bows her head to say hello. 

On her left is Miriam, with head wrapped in a hijab.  Miriam embraces all with a contagious laugh.  Down the row is Father Pat the Catholic priest, Brother Philip the Southern Baptist, Albert from the Baha’i Center. and Ahmad from the Muslim center.

Most of the servers know God through the stories of Jesus. Others know God through the Torah, the Quran, or other religious teachings.

Serving together within a shared Spirit builds bridges of understanding affirming oneness.

Breathprayer:

              Breathing in:   Holy Spirit…

Breathing out: …sustaining us all.

Reflection:  Describe a time when you bridged a difference with someone trusting the Spirit to bring kindness and justice?

This reflection is written for the Online Lenten Devotion of the Southeast Iowa Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

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