Good afternoon,
" Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion , for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all need, you will abound in every good work . As it is written, " They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever [ Psalm 112:9]. "
Second Corinthians 10: 6-9
The six Sundays following the Resurrection are known as the six Sundays of Easter. During this time, we are invited to read the book of Acts. It is about the first 20-30 years of the movement known as the " People of the Way " . We now call it the Church, in English. The invitation of the Resurrection is for us to be the Easter people of the world . The rising from the dead of Jesus Christ has transformed the world, and we should live as transformed people of the Way !
Here in this letter to the Corinthian Church, Paul is trying to inspire the members to be as generous as the people in Macedonia ( in Northern Greece ) to give money to the poor in Jerusalem. The church in Macedonia was less wealthy than the people of Corinth. Paul is in charge of collecting money from all over, to give to the saints of Jerusalem. They are suffering. It is about the economy of the church.
I invite you to continue to give to the local church. You can send a check to Box 249, Milverton N0K 1M0, or email Karen at pooletreasurer@gmail.com to do an e-transfer. Other charities are hurting too, as people/donors are out of work . MCC has had to lay off staff, and close all their Thrift stores ( the stores raise $9 million a year for their work. ). How will Mennonite Disaster Service respond to this enormous disaster ? There are local social service agencies that are also needing resources and money.
We are joyful that Christ is risen. Christ is risen indeed ! So, in this way of thinking , give what you can joyfully. Make a phone call. Send a card. Do a "facetime". Wave to your neighbour. Honk at a tractor, do a thumbs up at a garbage truck , salute a nurse/doctor or thank a feed mill 18-wheeler. Do all of this with great joy.
Poem from Mary Oliver
The World I Live In
I have refused to live
locked in the orderly house
of reasons and proofs.
The world I live in and believe in
is wider than that . And anyway,
what's wrong with Maybe ?
You wouldn't believe what once or
twice I have seen. I'll just
Tell you this:
only if there angels in your head will you
ever, possibly , see one.
Salaam and strength for our journey in life and faith
Ponder Anew 