Yesterday, I was sitting in a weekly Bible study at our partner church, Harvest. A small group of us was listening to "Shaking the System", a sermon by Rich Nathan on how to confront systemic sin. Somewhere about 2/3 of the way into listening, R. came in with a friend and sat down. I know R. from summer picnics in the park and occasional conversations at Harvest. In warmer weather, I see R. about town on her bike. I know she has lived on the street, and I'm also aware that mental illness is present; she'll sometimes use a small child's voice and other times, a deep, masculine voice.
R. and her friend sat and listened to the remaining part of the teaching with us. Afterward, we always take turns around the group to share a reflection from the teaching. R. raised her hand first, and though she didn't respond to the teaching, her words were pure and true and good. She told the group that she wanted to say something about Jesus. And how Jesus doesn't want people to go hungry. And how Jesus would have us pray for our sick friends.
Somewhere in the middle of another person's sharing, R. raised her hand again, and as Judy called on her, R. asked if she could give the closing prayer when we were done. "Of course," Judy said.
After some heavy sharing regarding the tough nature of systemic sin, R. walked up front and prayed us out. The prayer was childlike and from the heart. The presence of the Kingdom of God among us. I am so thankful for our partner church who welcomes R. as a contributing member of the community. Who values her input and and her faith. This is but one encounter that teaches me so much about the hospitality of Jesus, humility, the upside down Kingdom, and the intrinsic dignity and value of each human being in our community. Thank you, Harvest friends, for your faithfulness and for the gift that you are.
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