April 13, 2008

Psalm 23 Acts 2:42-47

Three stories separated by two litanies, with no commentary:

I need a shepherd…. I am a shepherd

There’s a story told by Tony Campolo of woman taking first aid class during World War II. She wasn’t very excited about the class, and showed very little interest in it. Then one day she came to class with great energy, professing a newfound interest in first aid and the class. When asked why the new interest, she said that the day before she had witnessed a terrible car accident, with several people badly injured. She had felt faint because of the amount of blood and injury she saw. Then she remembered some of what she learned from her instructor and put her head between her legs. The faint feeling disappeared. “I know now what all this first aid stuff is good for!” she proclaimed. (1)

My body is broken and bent, failing from the ravages of time, illness, accidents, and maybe even a little lack of attention or hard living. And yet, there’s something more…

My job is unmanageable, and I feel compelled to work hours to which my parents and grandparents would never have consented, leaving home before daylight and coming home after dark, with work on my mind even when I am at rest or at play. And yet, there’s something more…

My mind is so confused and conflicted, sometimes on hyperdrive never giving me a moment’s rest, and at other times completely zoned out, almost zombie-like or paralyzed, never finding a place of balance in between. And yet, there’s something more…

My home is a mess, with stacks of “important papers” on every horizontal surface and things I don’t need but can’t part with in boxes touching the closet ceiling, dust-bunnies that multiply faster than the real ones, and windows that haven’t seen the full light of day since the dawn of time. And yet, there’s something more…

My life is out of control, and I am reeling from one blow to another, never able to catch my breath, always dealing with emergencies, predicaments, and heartaches without ever seeming to find the time to live life to the fullest. And yet, there’s something more…

My family is unbearable, with overbearing and underachieving members that seem to find me their favorite relative, others who meddle or whine or judge with regularity and abandon. And yet, there’s something more…

My community is in crisis, with violence on the rise and hopelessness pervading our streets, every newscast and newspaper is amply filled with seemingly more crime, more corruption, more crack… And yet, there’s something more…

Another story of a psychologist and his patient was originally told by the doctor and writer, M. Scott Peck. One of his therapy patients, who struggled with depression, called and said she could not make her appointment due to car troubles. Dr. Peck offered to pick her up himself, but only if she didn’t mind him stopping by the hospital to see a patient. On the way, he asked if she wouldn’t mind dropping in on a couple of other patients he had in the hospital, who were doing well but would appreciate a little company. She agreed.

Afterwards, meeting in the hallway, Dr. Peck found the woman smiling and in great spirits. When he inquired why she was beaming, she indicated that her visits with those in the hospital had really picked her up as much as they had the patients. The woman commended Dr. Peck on his wisdom in inviting her to visit others who were in need.

When he commented that she would most likely want to visit others on a regular basis, she looked troubled and said, “You mean, I’ve got to do this again to feel this way?” (2)

Finally, there’s story, also from Tony Campolo, of a pastor on a train heading out of Victoria Station, London. Two smartly dressed men were sitting across from the preacher. They chatted politely, but not too long into the trip, one of the men fell to the floor in an epileptic seizure. The other passengers were startled, but his friend quickly began to take care of him, until the seizure was over and he fell into a deep sleep.

The minister was impressed, and chatted with the man who had cared so admirably for his friend. He learned that they were Vietnam veterans who had been in the same unit in the war. They were on a mission when they were ambushed and he had been shot in the leg and his friend had shrapnel throughout his chest. No one else had survived, and to top it off, the helicopter sent to look for survivors was shot down.

He couldn’t walk, and his friend wasn’t much better, but even though in enormous pain, had been able to drag him out of danger and to a place where finally they were found and hospitalized.

Years later, the man who lost his leg learned that his friend, the man who saved him in the jungle, had developed these terrible and frequent seizures and had no family to take care of him. He was to be institutionalized, until his friend agreed to sell his home and move to be with him, taking care of him.

When the preacher expressed admiration for his devotion, the man said, “Don’t be impressed. After what he did for me, there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for him. He saved my life!”

Three stories separated by two litanies, with no commentary

Amen.

(1) “First Aid” from Let Me Tell You A Story: Life Lessons From Unexpected Places and Unlikely People, by Tony Campolo (2000: Thomas Nelson, Nashville), pp. 116-117.

(2) Ibid, p. 91

(3) Ibid, pp. 91-93.

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Franklin Circle Christian Church

(Disciples of Christ)

Rev. Allen V. Harris

1688 Fulton Rd. (Near W. 28th)

Cleveland, OH 44113-3096

Ph: 216-781-8232

www.FranklinCircleChurch.org

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