​GRACE NOTES: RECLAIMING THE HOLY. RESTORING LIFE.

I made a mistake today. I read the news. In the never-ending stream of information (and misinformation, for who can tell?) I felt hope draining away from my soul. First a trickle, then a full-blown leak. The wealthiest among us are about to get a tax break which will apparently be paid for by cutting Medicaid to the neediest. White people from South Africa are being granted protection while people of color are sent to languish in foreign prisons. War is making its way around the world. It all leaves me feeling helpless and hopeless. What can be done to stop the advance of evil and unholy that destroys our humanity?

---

A couple of days ago I was getting off I-80 to turn on to US 69/14th Street. The ramp is a favorite spot for “panhandling.” As I looked ahead a few cars, I saw a man in a wheelchair at the intersection holding on to a sign asking for help. It looked like he had fallen asleep and rolled partially into the road. As I slowly made my way forward, I saw a Sheriff’s Deputy pull up and get out of his car. I assumed an arrest was imminent. I had hoped to help the man get out of the way when I got to the intersection. Instead of handcuffs and a confrontation however, I witnessed the deputy gently approach the man, waking him and guiding him to a safe spot. I was moved to tears. In a world where no kindness seems present and the “least of these” are often abused, I saw compassion and care.

It reminded me that the way we address the unholy world we inhabit is not by giving into despair and being overwhelmed by problems too big for us to solve. Instead, armed with the love, compassion, and mercy of Christ, we reclaim the holy by doing what we can, where we are at, with what we have. This has been called “random acts of kindness.” I don’t think it is at all random. This is how the Holy Spirit chases back the advance of the unholy and death-dealing actions of the world. One holy act, one effort that gives life leads to more. That is the message of the cross and the resurrection. One man died for all with the words of love and forgiveness on his lips. God raised him up to announce that the way of Jesus is the way that will triumph, even if it happens only one small act at a time.
​
You have the power to reclaim the holy and restore life by doing what you can, where you are at, with what you have.
​ 
Pax Christi – Tim Olson, Lead Pastor ​
 
 
Image by Mircea Iancu from Pixabay