I was at a Tim Hortons’ at the corner of Warden and Huntingwood Avenues in Scarborough this morning. The parking lot was full, and although the the Tims’ was full, there was not lineup to order. I ordered the usual, for me, medium dark roast black. All the staff behind the counter was either Indian or Sri Lankan. They were all very friendly, and served with grace and honour. Some of the customers who were sitting down in the chairs were from various other ethnic groups. I think some were Lao, others maybe Chinese. One man, with a very Eastern European accent, was talking English to another man. There were at least three other tables speaking other languages that I could not even guess at. I am a middle-aged white person with white/grey hair, who felt a little out of place.
Jesus of Nazareth hung out with all kinds of people. In the biographies of Jesus that we find in the New Testament, there are these miracle stories of feeding some large crowds. Those of us who are Christians, remember these stories as the feeding of the 4000 and 5000. It is said that this total was only the men ( Unfortunately they did not count the women and children. Hopefully they got fed as well. ). We do not know who these people were who sat down for the afternoon. The 12 best friends of Jesus helped distribute the food that came out of nowhere. Jesus blessed the small number of loaves of bread, and a few fish.
There were probably some Jewish people there on the side of mountain, leaders as well as common folk. All kinds of people followed Jesus around, listening to him speak about what God was doing through him. Leprosy was an incurable disease at the time. Lepers were most likely in their own section of the crowd. For Jesus, they were all welcome to the meal. The close followers of Jesus were not as open to “other” hanging around. There may have been also some Zeus-loving Greeks who were looking for something free. ( We are all looking for something for free.). Most places at the time of Jesus were places of trade that brought many different kinds of people together to trade some stuff. Jewelry, olives, cloth, dates, sandals or religious souvenirs may have been there that day.
They came for the free food, but what was it about the message of Jesus that they listened to, and that may have brought them back a second or third time. What did Jesus say, that made them think about their own lives ? “ All are welcome to the Kingdom party “ or “ Love your enemies “ or was it the words, “ Forgive them, they do not know what they are doing .”
If you are a Christian, what were the words of the church , or Jesus, that were the invitation for you to be part of the of the Kingdom ? Do the same words of Jesus drawn you in, or have you found deeper words of invitation that bring you back to God or the church every Sunday. What are your words that bring you closer to the Almighty and everlasting One ?
What words of invitation could I have said to the people, from all over the world, at the Tim Hortons’ in Scarborough yesterday ? What questions are they asking about their lives ? We all want to live meaningful lives. What are the answers and questions that people are asking ?
I was on the Bloor Subway line last Friday. People seldom talk on the Subway. Now, they are on their IPad’s, IPhone’s, IPod’s, Androids and other devices. They used to read books and newspapers, but not anymore. One man in a suit was fixated on his Solitaire game, and a young woman was changing the songs on her IPod . What kind of conversation would I want to have with these people, as we ride the Subway for five minutes together.The people were again ethnically diverse. I lead such a sheltered life here in Elmira. The United Nations is just an hour away in Toronto.
I assume that all people are asking questions of meaning as they live and work in our world. What questions do ask of your life, and of God, if you are so inclined ?
Shalom and strength for your journey of life and faith.
Ponder Anew 