Return to home page
|
Johnson
Intern Program First a note from the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church New York City:
Christian writers have said in a variety of literary styles that Christian spiritual life and one’s practical life are intricately related. In thinking about worship, I reflected on several conversations I had with Stephen Stanley as we discussed the theme for our first 2002 Johnson Intern orientation retreat, “Eucharist and our relationship to those invited to the Eucharistic table.” On one hand, Eucharist invites us to participate in the life of the Trinity. On the other hand, it requires that we deal with the cost involved in having relationships with those included around the table. Several years ago, as a student at Creighton University, I had an opportunity to talk with a homeless man who had lived on the streets of Omaha for 15 years. The occasion was not one I expected, but one that left me pondering the meaning of relationship from the Christian Eucharistic perspective. I did not serve him in a homeless shelter or soup kitchen. In fact, he inquired if I needed his help! I was exhausted after a long afternoon bike ride in the hot Omaha sun, and was lying down under a tree to recover when Charles, a homeless man, approached me and wanted to know if I were OK. I assured him I was well; he surprised me when he asked if I minded that he sat down and talked. I agreed, and over the next 15 minutes he spoke about things in his life he found important. He spoke about his elderly parents and their concern about his lifestyle. They wanted him to return to Florida, but he felt he could do more ‘good’ on the streets of Omaha. My first reaction was—how could a homeless person “do more good”? More good than whom and how could he help others? It seemed that he had many friends, mostly other homeless people. He talked about the fellowship he found with others under the interstate bridge down the road. They shared resources, including food, blankets, and other items they collected or bought when they had money. I have been a social worker for many years and have always considered my work meaningful and important; but my encounter with Charles turned the servant leadership table and created dissonance. I had never thought of the homeless as living in community. It never occurred to me that these individuals were sons and daughters of mothers and fathers just like me. They had aspirations, dreams, and feelings about their circumstances. I know I will probably never see Charles again, but something about the experience has relevance for the questions posed in our first retreat. Questions about how our responses affect those we encounter on our spiritual journey. Do we find ourselves less than concerned because of another’s dress, or physical appearance, or perhaps a difference of opinion or personality styles? Perhaps it is those we serve who offer more to us than we could ever offer them. Will I get to a point that I have a group of homeless people in my circle of friends? Probably not, but hopefully I can stop and reflect upon how I relate to everyone I have the privilege to serve today. Perhaps I have yet to grasp the concept from Mother Theresa’s perspective; that God does not require that we be successful, only that we continue to be faithful. I guess I am grateful that God has given us the ability to reflect upon what it is that we do in His name!
Send
items for inclusion in future "Cross Roads."
|