SPEAKER_00: This week, one of the scriptures that we're lifting up is Matthew 25, where Jesus says, Whatever you do to the least of these, he tells a story about how he was in the world and was ignored by so many of us.
SPEAKER_00: And then another story about how he was in the world and yet others met every need he had.
SPEAKER_00: And it was an encouragement to the church to always be aware of those in our midst who need the love of Christ displayed through our lives into theirs.
SPEAKER_00: For many years I partnered with the ELCA Outreach Center in Kenosha.
SPEAKER_00: And I did so as a youth leader and I continue to do so as a pastor.
SPEAKER_00: I remember many years ago as a youth leader, we would lead a Bible study and we'd also offer some songs and food.
SPEAKER_00: Every Thursday throughout the summer, me and my youth.
SPEAKER_00: And every Thursday there was this same woman who sat near the end of the table, looked to be in maybe her 50s.
SPEAKER_00: We found out that she was homeless and that was using many of the resources there to figure out how to get back on her feet.
SPEAKER_00: She was often quiet.
SPEAKER_00: And at the end of our Bible study, we would hand out donuts or whatever we might have brought for a snack that day, and then slowly leave.
SPEAKER_00: Well, one day I had some extra time, and so I decided to go over to this woman who remained quiet almost every single time we were there and introduced myself.
SPEAKER_00: I learned that her name was Linda.
SPEAKER_00: Linda and her brother were trying to figure out a way to live independent of assistance.
SPEAKER_00: They were having a hard time.
SPEAKER_00: Linda had had some struggles in her life.
SPEAKER_00: Some of them had affected her mentally, and she was very honest about these.
SPEAKER_00: I realized in that moment that no one really ever talked to Linda.
SPEAKER_00: And so I made it a point every week when I came back to sit down and talk to Linda.
SPEAKER_00: What was amazing is maybe after a month of this, at the end of our Bible study, we invite someone to pray.
SPEAKER_00: Linda had never raised her hand.
SPEAKER_00: But in this moment, Linda raised her hand.
SPEAKER_00: And she prayed.
SPEAKER_00: A simple prayer for her and her brother, and then offered up a word of thanks for the people at that table.
SPEAKER_00: I don't know what God is doing in Linda's life today.
SPEAKER_00: I've lost track of her.
SPEAKER_00: But I know in that moment Linda felt recognized, and it reminded me that often, even in the midst of good ministry, we can overlook people.
SPEAKER_00: Whatever you do to the least of these, I think justice begins with conversations and learning someone's story.
SPEAKER_00: I think that's where real justice begins.
SPEAKER_00: Once we realize we're all the same.
SPEAKER_00: Like Linda, we just want to be listened to, to be recognized, to be seen.
SPEAKER_00: My encouragement to you this week, church, is that you look for ways to be Christ in a world that so desperately needs Christ.
SPEAKER_00: That you look for the least of these in your midst, and you sit down with them.
SPEAKER_00: You hear their story, you learn their name, and maybe you give them a little bit of courage to speak up, to encounter their God in a new way.
SPEAKER_00: As always, we are praying for you.
SPEAKER_00: Love and peace.