“Wasting Time With God”
Luke 2:36-40–in a few words scripture captures thirty years of the life of Jesus: “The child grew and became strong . . .”
For many years in the ministry I was too damn busy to find time to pray, to say the offices, to celebrate the Eucharist every day. I have friends who half way make fun of me for the time I take to read the Bible–they have more important things to do–these are ministers mind you. But in the past few years I have found that the time I take each take to say the offices, to pray, to celebrate the Eucharist fuel me for each day, for the moments of frustration, doubt, and fatigue ahead. They keep me centered on Jesus, they keep me focused, they keep things in perspective. And so I waste time with God, and in so doing I find strength and focus.
Yesterday I spent the afternoon cooking, Ken came in and helped me with my computer, and I served the meal last night. Before I went to the Castro I took and old pair of pants and some food to an old homeless guy, he was grateful and in those moments there was peace in his eyes, I felt the presence of Christ. In fact I felt the presence of Jesus during the whole meal last night–giving food, blankets, socks, on a rainy night. I said the “Jesus Prayer” as I was serving the meal, it kept me centered and focused. I came home and did outreach. One old guy, a drunk, was passed out and I put a blanket over him, and I felt a closeness and I thought how sad it is that we spend so much on the military but so little on ordinary human beings. Our shelters are full, it takes months to get into drug treatment and our military is strong–it is sad. And so the day begins. Deo Gratis! Thanks be to God!
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