Giving Thanks for the Ludicrous

Matthew 10:16-42

"Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 10:39) JB appeared at our local church on the night of his 29th birthday. He said that he lost his life, and needed to be restored. In the process of being restored, he had no where to live, not even a shelter would be possible for him. On that night, he felt he had no where to lay his head beyond the church, which has "open hearts, open minds, and open doors" - Metropolitan Community United Methodist Church, New York, New York.

The vision of the local church is clearly stated on the back of Sunday morning bulletins: " ... is a body of Christ responding to the challenging call to love with compassion the children of God. Through Christ centered worship, we strive to achieve spiritual growth, and development with congregational outreach ministries that address the personal, social, and spiritual needs of the interfaith community in New York."

Members are challenged to show respect, care, clear listening, and empathy with a young man they have never heard or met before. As uncomfortable as it is, this congregation of Christians are called to be couragous in the outreach ministries toward JB. The required information on his background has not been given. The senior pastor decided not to even asked for it. Odd, you say? In error, you pronounce? Understand, JB has been welcomed by a few beyond the senior pastor. However, there is a miracle in his staying here. His idenity is not known among the elite. The evidence of his identity as a professional rapper is no longer online. Among the homeless he is not known, because he has been inside the local church and not on the outside with the marginalized. The miracle is that he must be here by the grace of God, who has yet to be identified by the image seen in JB, while those who support the senior pastor are said to be as ludicrous as the pastor.

Who JB is really, may never be known? Tonight he is known as being the one who is giving thanks for the ludicrous. And, the senior pastor? Well, I can speak for me: In thanksgiving for the grace of God, which has me here and not on the streets, I am the "so-called" ludicrous senior pastor believing JB, too, to be a child of God needing the miraculous act of agape.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Amen