Lazarus, Dives and Walmart

Lazarus, Dives and Walmart Luke 16: 19-31

September 25, 2016

I was on my way back from Walmart: no, not the Walmart here in Pullman, but the Walmart in Glendale Ohio. I had my two sons in the back of the minivan, they were 11 and 13 then, it was late August and I had just taken them to get their school supplies, clothes and shoes. We had just turned the corner onto a street that led back to our home in Blue Ash, just about 3 or 4 miles away, an area of Glendale that has an inappropriately low speed limit--in other words, a speed. But I wasn't thinking about the speed trap, I didn't see the police car, he came out of nowhere. All I could think about was the money I had spent on school supplies--money we didn't have, and the fact that my husband had just been laid off. But the kids needed shoes and pencils, and then the siren jarred me from my thoughts and I was pulled over.

My older son, who watched far too many cop shows, turned and saw the police car behind us with the lights flashing and began to cry saying, "Mom, are we going to jail?" I said no, but tears were welling up in my eyes now too, as I thought about the fact that I really was guilty, but we didn't have the money to pay a ticket, I didn't have money to spend on anything but food right now but I had bought so much more--and now...

"Do you know why I stopped you Ma'am?"

"I presume I was speeding."

"Do you know what the speed limit is here?"

"No I don't. I'll admit I wasn't paying attention. I just took the kids to Walmart to get school supplies, and I spent too much and I was just thinking about how we were going to pay for all this..." and just then the tears began to come out. I'm not usually a weepy person but I just lost it.

My usual "I have it all together" demeanor was just shattered. I had broken the law, and in front of my kids--I was mortified. I was so caught up in my own problems and that was it--I might as well just admit it.

You know, I think that was the problem of the rich man too. He just didn't notice poor Lazarus on the ground at his gate. He was caught up in managing his affairs, conducting his business. He wasn't evil. He was just preoccupied; unaware, myopic. He just couldn't see.

And which one of us can't relate to that situation in our own lives, maybe even more so today. We are tremendously busy with work and families--we may even be caught between two generations, taking care of kids or grandkids and parents too. Our lives are very full and we just don't, or can't, see much beyond the dilemma of the day.

But that is exactly what Jesus is calling us to do in this parable. Jesus is calling us to see beyond ourselves to those who are in need, to see beyond our own problems to those who have so much more of a challenge in their lives (like the beggar Lazarus). But it may not be a beggar--it may be a mother in your kid's class, it may be your adult child who is hurting and needs a listening ear when you would rather just tell them what to do, it may be the person sitting in the pew next

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to you. We often just don't know when a person in need will cross our path and Jesus tells us when we help anyone in need we are actually helping him (Matthew chapter 25)!

When we get outside of ourselves we find that our lives will blossom. Our view is expanded, we become grateful for what we have and the circumstances that we are faced with--we see how good we really have it. So it's not just that we make the world a better place--we make us better too! I have yet to meet a person who hasn't said to me in one-way or another that they get much more out of helping others that what they put into it. In helping others we make our own lives better.

Which brings us to "Kickoff Sundae", which is today. This is the day when we ask you to consider upping your involvement here at St. James.

Some of the things that we invite you to consider involve liturgy--being a reader, a chalice bearer or even an acolyte. Some of the activities are opportunities for fellowship with dinner groups and study groups. (You know when I first got to the Episcopal church I never understood the fellowship thing until I heard, really heard our baptismal promises--"Will you continue in the apostles teaching and fellowship..." But maybe like me you weren't baptized an Episcopalian--but fellowship--its what we do. This is one way we can minister to each other--to be there when folks around us are in need we first must get to know them when they are not in need. It's hard for Americans to ask for help--it's easier when we have had fellowship with each other. You know, Christianity is not to be lived in solitude--not even Christian hermits live in solitude--I know, I have made retreats with hermits--they have community, they come together for fellowship and prayer. That's why Jesus gathered disciples--not even Jesus could live the life he was teaching us about by himself.

And of course the most obvious are the opportunities for outreach. I think sometimes people are afraid of outreach activities--maybe feeling they don't have the skills or patience needed. But we need you--your presence with people--your willingness to just be with people or bring dinner and enjoy it with people, in the case of Family Promise. I am learning about all that is going on here as well.

What are the strengths and gifts that God is calling you to give to others? Find what can be life giving for you. Try one new thing this year. Step up to one thing you have always thought about but maybe said--next year I'll do it. Well, this is next year.

And like the parable today, Jesus warns us that we are finite--seize the opportunity. Our opportunities are limited. What is the example you want to show to your children or grandchildren?

And what about the traffic stop? Much to my amazement the policeman let me off with a warning. I have not been stopped since. And I'm much better these days at taking my time, especially once my kids started to learn to drive. I am aware now that someone is always watching--and that someone just might be God! Amen.

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