Last week I had a deeply moving experience. I have spent some time reflecting on it and I feel that God wants me to share it with all my Christian friends. I apologise if you get it twice as I will in part be using group address lists and some of you will appear on more than one.
Last Tuesday afternoon having some time to kill I found myself quite by chance in St James Church Piccadilly. There were some interesting things in there, architecture, stained glass all the usual stuff really. There was a Eucharist going on with about wenty attendees, not bad for a midweek afternoon. The really amazing thing though wasn't any of that. It was the awareness of the liturgy being punctuated by snoring! This is because on every pew in on the left hand side of the church a homeless person was asleep. They were so comfortable that they had even removed their shoes. Each person was covered by a pristine white blanket. These were clearly purchased for this purpose. I felt I wanted to take a photo of this to show people, but it seemed to intrusive to do so.
What a lesson for us this is, how many times have I walked past a homeless person not even bothering to look at them. Here are people who are saying "here is our place come in and make yourself comfortable". Jesus said “In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would” have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. John 14:2 How literally were these words brought home to me seeing this very moving sight. I remember an outcry in a local paper once because a homeless man had slept in a church doorway, but here they were in our father’s home being treated as honoured guests.
How many times have I been asked for bedding that I don't need for the homeless but these people have brought blankets especially for them, and are keeping them in ‘mint’ condition.
What an example this praying, worshiping community are in living out the gospel as I type these words many references to the Gospel are coming into my head. I will however leave you with two.
John 14:27: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Matthew 11:27-29: 27"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
May we find God’s peace and have the grace to share it with others and may we come to know the father and learn to rest in him.
May we also learn the compassion of Jesus, and how to help people with dignity, to get alongside them rather than to do to or for them. As the people of St James have.
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