Recently my wife and I welcomed our fourth child into our home. Our son was a welcomed surprise after nearly five years since our last child was born. Just prior to his arrival we made the usual preparations to our home, we set up a crib, a bassinet in our bedroom, purchased diapers, wet wipes, a couple of pacifiers and set up the swing. Our past experience guided us as we set our plans in motion and as we did our best to prepare.
Of course anticipating and preparing are much different than taking care of and making room for an actual baby. Not an hour into our return from the hospital had passed and I was caught without a diaper at exactly the wrong moment. Needless to say both baby and dad needed a bath while mom laughed at her “experienced” husband looking like a first time daddy.
During the cycle of readings that move us through the Gospel of Luke we come across the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus in chapter 16.19-31. This narrative is familiar to us and we can easily recall the Rich Man’s sumptuous lifestyle and Lazarus’ terrible condition. The text describes how Lazarus would gladly have eaten from the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table but unfortunately the Rich Man never welcomed Lazarus to dinner.
What would it have meant for the Rich Man to make room for Lazarus at his table? This thought has been running through my mind and it has caused me to think about my own life at home and the community life of our parish. Obviously a new child enters your home and quickly becomes part of your home life. Some would say that a new child takes over and soon a very tired and desperate couple finds that the only thing they remember doing is feeding, cleaning and soothing their newborn. Yet as the child grows things change. This early period which many call overwhelming and challenging gives way to a deeper reality. Namely the more complicated and nuanced task of raising and relating to another person. Most parents would quickly tell you that a thirteen year old is much more complex than an infant. In fact the necessity to open one’s heart, one’s mind, one’s life to another person is an ever expanding and all-consuming pursuit.
The same can be said for a community and a growing parish. The first days, even years, are difficult there is no doubt. The early pains of giving rise to a new church are not without trial and tribulation. However as things settle and as the community matures and expands the challenge becomes even more intricate.
How does a community welcome successive waves of new parishioners? How does a community continue to provide a home for newly arrived persons and families while at the same time sustaining its established members? This is not an easy process and it certainly involves many things. Yet it starts with making room at the table for the new arrival. This is the first challenge and if it is not met than all other efforts are bound to fail. For each new person room must be made for their needs, their ideas, and their circumstances. More importantly each established member must make room in their hearts, their lives and their prayers for the newcomer. At the same time the reverse is true. The newcomer sits at table and is welcomed indeed. They quickly observe the families traditions and join in, offering themselves back to the community. As we enter a new situation we endear ourselves to others by taking up their needs as our own as well. We too make room at our table for them by reciprocating their hospitality. Certainly this is what Saint Paul meant when he wrote in Romans chapter twelve verses nine and ten, “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.”
The psalmist writes on this same subject saying, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Psalm 133:1, LXX 132:1) and the parishioners of Saint Spyridon agree whole heartedly. It is a joy to walk together in the Lord and to work together towards our common goal of salvation. Thank you for striving together and for seeking to build up this community of love in Christ.
+Father Evan