“‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.’” – Matthew 5:14-16
Our family was able to get away this week for a short summer vacation. We went to a campground in Sequoia National Park. I am thankful for Suzanne, Marty, and all the staff who covered for me while I was gone a few days.
On Wednesday we went for a walk in the woods. Specifically we walked the “Trail of 100 Giants.” As I walked I passed a sad-eyed, tousle-haired, shirtless young man, with a Corona beer in one hand and an unlit cigarette dangling from his mouth. Walking with him was a young child, and an older man with a camera. He jumped on to a behemoth fallen giant, climbed the tangled root system, lit the cigarette, posed for pictures, and shouted to his friend, “just imagine a DJ system up here!”
I rolled my eyes at Kathy, and said, “Yes, that would complete the cliché!”
About that time, he announced, ““Look at these sheep wearing masks, they don’t even know how to breathe fresh air anymore!”
Properly chastened, I sat down on a log beside the trail. A little while later a woman walked toward me, looked at my facemask, paused to catch her breath, and said softly, “I just don’t know, are we supposed to wear our masks outside when we are distanced? Does it do any good?”
I responded, “I don’t really know either, I am doing so as a sign of respect for others.” I wish I had said “care” instead of “respect”, but in that moment I had been reflecting on the mutual judgement and disrespect that I had experienced and practiced in the previous encounter and in much the world at large these days.
As this crisis lingers and indeed worsens, I am finding that our reserve of kindness is drying up. There is a severe lack of leadership, and that space is being filled by sanctimony and egotism. Jesus calls us all to recognize that we are leaders, whether we think we are or not. The fact is that people will see us and will notice what we do. It isn’t that right work will save us (although there is growing evidence that wearing a cloth mask does provide some personal protection as well as helping to protect others) but that doing the right thing will encourage the good in others.
Humble leaders and grace-filled examples are what is needed in the world today. You are a leader.
Pastor George
God of the simple shepherds, revisit us with your peace. When we are tempted to live in smug self-satisfaction and judgement of others, help us to know that we have so much more to learn. When we are tempted to proclaim that we know so much more than others, help us to remember how we have learned the hard lessons. We thank you for the example of Jesus, who walked among us and gave the example of the humble teacher, guide and leader; then humbled himself unto death that we might be raised up to new life. You have set us on a hill; may your light shine through us. Amen.