“A Cup of Kindness”

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

July 2, 2023

Romans 6:12-23

Matthew 10:40-42

Children’s Message:

“Rissy No Kissies” by Katie Howes tells the story about a lovebird chick who is uncomfortable with kisses. Everyone thinks she is mean or rude or confused or sick because she won’t let them kiss her. But kisses make her tummy icky. She would rather express her love in other ways. The book is about consent and empowering children to define their own comfort levels—even to family and friends.

Let’s pray. Dear God, you give us bodies to love and protect. Help us show kindness in ways that help others feel loved and protected, too. Amen.

Message:

A group of students from the Center for Global Education went on a mission trip to a village in Mexico called Amatlan. A man came to speak to them about his experience crossing the border and working in the U.S. His wife sat nearby knitting something as he shared his story. They were in their early 30’s, but early in their marriage when his wife became pregnant, they had no money and no financial hope. No way to support their family. So the man decided to go to the U.S. to get work.

He managed to save up the $500 to pay a coyote to make his passage across the border. He paid the money and began walking through the desert with a group of other men. In the darkness, he couldn’t see the snakes and scorpions. In the blazing sun, he became dehydrated. A man in his 70’s collapsed from the heat, so he carried him on his back the rest of the way. When they crossed the border, they were immediately stopped by Border Patrol and sent back.

Penniless and humiliated, he started over. This time he made it into the United States and found work. He worked ten-hour shifts with no breaks, making less than minimum wage. Even when he cut his hand open washing dishes, he was not allowed to take the time to dress his wound. And because he couldn’t speak English, he couldn’t defend himself under harsh treatment. After three years of saving a little money, he went back home and met his three-year-old daughter for the first time.

The group was quiet as the man finished his story. His wife continued to knit, letting a tear slip down her cheek. A student finally asked, “How can we help? How can we change the system?” The man responded, “Just don’t treat us like we’re horrible. Just be kind.”[1]

Helping God build the kin-dom begins with kindness.

Jesus makes it sound simple. Anyone who offers a cup of cold water to one of the least of these shall not lose their reward. But for some reason, we make it hard.

A young parish priest and old priest were living in a parsonage outside of which many people gathered to beg for money. The younger priest came to the older priest, complaining. “They all say they need help with bus vouchers or gas vouchers or rent or utilities. But how can I be sure that’s what they’ll use it for? It’s exhausting trying to defend who I will help and who I won’t.”

The old priest turned to him and said, “What makes you think it’s your responsibility to determine who deserves help and who doesn’t? Our job is simply to share God’s wealth with others.”

That’s a hard lesson to practice, isn’t it? I mean, we want to make sure that we are good stewards of God's wealth. We don't want to squander it or just toss it around wildly. At the same time, the wisdom of the old priest holds: What makes us think we can determine who is worthy and who isn’t? Our job is simply to offer kindness to those we encounter. Period.

Helping God build the kin-dom begins with kindness.

It’s simple—but not easy. We’ve got all of 3 verses in today’s gospel. And Jesus is STILL giving instructions to the disciples about going out in pairs to heal and preach throughout the land. After all of the doom and gloom of the last two weeks, he seems to be offering a touchstone of hope. But I think it’s hope partnered with caution.

He begins with ambassadorial language. The one who is sent holds the authority and is the representative of the one who has sent them. “Those who welcome you welcome me; those who welcome me welcome the one who sent me.” You are the ambassador of God.

But he continues: “Those who welcome a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward.” Sounds good until you consider what prophets typically received as they served as God’s mouthpiece to the people. Their reward was all too often persecution and even death.

I’m reminded of a meme that has really stuck with me from Facebook. It says, “If you call yourself an ally, and you’re not getting hit by the same stones I’m getting hit by, you’re not standing close enough.’”

There are people living their lives with targets on their backs 24/7. They live with the political repercussions of fear, ignorance, and hatred. They may be immigrants or migrants; they may be people of other faiths or no faith; they may be gay or transgender; they may be currently or formerly incarcerated; they may be addicted to drugs or alcohol; they may be homeless or unemployed. No matter the circumstance, they are first and foremost people. They are beloved children of God. WE are beloved children of God. All of us.

And what Jesus suggests as we go out into the world is both simple and challenging. He tells us to offer kindness. Offer kindness to the stranger. Offer kindness to the ones we don’t know and don’t understand. Offer kindness to those who believe different than us. We don’t have to agree. We don’t have to understand. We don’t have to like them. All he says is to offer a cup of cold water to anyone who thirsts.

That can come in the form of mamabear hugs or listening to the person who is living with schizophrenia. It can come in the form of respect and consent before touch. It can come in the form of making space in our pew for a newcomer. It can come in the form of offering lunch to someone who is hungry. Kindness does not need grand gestures to make a big difference.

Because kindness can lead us to connection. And connection can lead to understanding. And understanding can lead to agape love. And love can lead to the kind of actions and decisions that can change the world.

Helping God build the kin-dom begins with kindness.

Pastor Tobi White

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church

Lincoln, NE

[1] https://day1.org/weekly-broadcast/5d9b820ef71918cdf2003936/hospitality_a_crucial_cup_of_cold_water