During the course of our time together in Faith Formation on Sunday mornings, we have learned a lot about biblical practices related to generosity. There are so many ways we can give generously that don’t require money, or any great personal sacrifice.
We all have words, and how we use them matters a lot.
As Christians, we should always look to be generous with our words of acceptance and affirmation. I was reminded of this last Sunday morning at Neighborhood Breakfast. I overheard a conversation as someone new sat down at a table with one of our regulars whom he didn’t know.
“I think I’ve seen you around town,” he said, as he placed his meal on the table.
Her response was, “yeah, that’s me. I’m always walking.”
The way she said it came across as a little self-conscious to me. Before I had time to really think about it, the man she spoke to responded in a way that, to me, demonstrates how we can affirm others with our words.
“We’re all walking,” he said.
I was honestly touched by these generous words of affirmation. In an instant, he made it clear to her that she had nothing to be ashamed of. We all have needs; we all struggle; we all need a hand to make it in this life.
We’re all walking.
It reminded me of Saint Damien, who we talked about a couple weeks ago at Pipe, the Catholic priest who spent his life ministering in a lepers colony in Hawaii. Long before he ever contracted leprosy, he had a practice of addressing his congregation this way: “We lepers…”
This was his way of saying, “your life matters every bit as much as mine.” It was an expression of acceptance and, ultimately, love.
May we use our words to show God’s love and acceptance of all people today and every day.
We will be back at Faith Formation on Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. in the Pipe. Family dinner and Pipe will return on Wednesday, January 18 at 5:15 p.m.
See you soon!
The Pipe 