Good afternoon, friends. This is Pastor Don. I was reflecting this morning on God’s call to Moses to lead his people out of Egypt. When Moses was reluctant, God promised: “I will be with you.”
Often we are suspicious of offers to help because we have become accustomed to offers with a hidden agenda of the helper becoming the one who moves in and takes over, leaving us feeling foolish and small.
I read in Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditations that this solidarity God promises is not paternalism or pity: It is working shoulder to shoulder. When Jesus invites us to “take his yoke,” it is a double yoke in which we pull along side jesus who pulls with us. A very real kind of cooperative work environment.
If we trust that offer of Jesus, then it becomes our job to foster that same kind of solidarity with those who need our help. Our help should be the kind that preserves everyone’s dignity, self-worth and freedom. We can reach out to them with the spirit of God which says: “I see your need. I see you! Let’s work together on this. I will be with you in your wounded place.”
This spirit is the spirit of solidarity that we can offer our little ones, the physically and emotionally challenged people around us, the migrant, the homeless, minorities, and those facing loss. It is a spirit of deep respect and love. It is the spirit of Jesus.
Let’s Pray: God, grant us the grace to see each other as you see us.
Amen.
