This week's scripture passage has long haunted me with its wide array of interpretations. One reading suggests a damning commentary on exploitative religious practices. Another interpretation suggests an inspiring example of sacrifice and commitment. Still another reading offers a testament to the power of hope.
Roman Catholic Priest, Father Andrew Greeley, had a gift for writing parallel stories to those found in scripture. For this week's passage, he writes,
Once upon a time there was a candidate traveling franticly around his constituency at the end of a long and difficult campaign. He was under constant, as he saw it, unfair attack from his opponent who was an unscrupulous man and from hostile media who reported false stories about him and his family every day. Although he had a long and distinguished history of public service, the polls said the race was too close to hall. Discouraged, battered, worn out, he had lost his usual flair for the campaign and went through the motions as if they were drudgery.
One day after what was supposed to be a passionate speech but actually was just one more dud, as he was walking away from the platform, surrounded by his staff and a handful of well-wishers, he heard an old voice crying out his name. He glanced to the edge of the crowd. An old woman in a wheelchair was shouting at him. Don't pay any attention to her, said his managers. He was tired of old women in wheelchairs. Still he broke through the crowd and walked over to her.
Tears pouring down her cheeks, she babbled incoherently about a husband who had died in the War and held out a five-dollar bill for his campaign. Tears pouring down his cheeks, he embraced her, took the crumpled bill, and pledged that he would win the race, just for her if for no one else.
We'll have one service at 11 a.m. I encourage you to prayerfully consider several important items as Sunday approaches:
- Putting feet to faith and joining in an afternoon project for Covenant Impacts Charlotte. It's a great way to make a difference for our mission partners across the city, cultivate new friendships, and deepen faith. You can sign up here.
- Prayerfully offer a pledge to support Covenant's life and mission in 2020. I assure you that every single pledge makes a big difference, and Covenant's work is completely dependent on the generosity of our congregation. Will you give your generous 'crumpled five-dollar bill' to our work in the world? You can make a pledge here.
- Check out a series called "Soul Crafting: 5 Practices to Grow Your Life of Faith" on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. during Open Table programming. This is part of our Connect initiative.
Come, and bring a friend.
