February 5: Grapes for the Food Bank
Leviticus 19:1-2. 9-18 (MSG)
Wow. This list is hard core. I don't even know where to begin. Now granted this is Leviticus, a book that often gets verses ripped out of context for political and social debate, but you can hear echos of Jesus' message here, can't you? In this passage it is the LORD speaking to Moses, offering a very clear message of saving something for your neighbor, not taking everything for yourself when you harvest... and being kind and not slanderous or manipulative of your neighbor in all the transactions of community life. And it ends with "love your neighbor as yourself," which, of course, was Jesus repeated mantra over and over and over again.
I love how this starts though... the very lovely way it reminds us to care for others more than self. the LORD suggest to Moses that when the fields and vineyards are harvested it is important to not taking every single bit of harvest for yourself. Leave some for people in need to harvest for themselves, as well. Share with your neighbor the bounty of your harvest. It's beautiful. A clear reminder in poetic, pastoral terms, that it is not all about us and what we want and need, but ultimately about building a sharing and loving community.
And on Sunday when we share in Holy Communion, I would like us to think about what it means to not only share the "grapes of our harvest" in terms of sharing our resources with others, but also what it might mean to share the "grape harvest" of our Holy Meal with others. How do we take the grace and peace Christ offers in the sacrament and truly change our lives, our perspective, our witness in the world? How do we actually embody Christ so that when we walk away from the table and into the world we consider every action we make as a reflection of Christ? Such a challenge. So important,
Thoughts? Email me at peverhart@niwotumc.org or comment by clicking the comment link below.
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