When I read the Ezekiel passage in prep for this am’s sermon…

Couldn’t help but think of the CEO’s of the big 3 automakers, jostling their way into the halls of congress…

Like rams butting others out of the way, jostling with flank and shoulder

Problem was, they were a little late – seeing as how the other Alpha-Males had already come to and gone from the Federal trough.

Wouldn’t surprise me if down the road, as the corporate down-sizing continues, that those at the top will congratulate themselves for reducing operating costs, jostling aside those who would otherwise be employed.  And then reward themselves with big, fat bonuses.

And I think of Alan Greenspan’s testimony before congress, claiming he didn’t think a lot of regulating was necessary, because he didn’t think bank CEOs would be so greedy as to damage the companies they headed.

But the mentality of thinking – I’ve got mine – and what happens after that doesn’t matter –

Well – according to Ezekiel – God’ fed up with that kind of behavior

As for the fat sheep – they’re done – that’s it –

The pork barrel’s sprung a leak – and now all there is – is one big mess to clean up.

But before I wander any further astray – let me point out that Jesus is even more demanding than Ezekiel –

Ezekiel blasts the powerful, who do damage to the weak.  Jesus says it’s just as bad to ignore them – to do nothing.

I think that for us – this is more to the point.

Not many of us here are powerful enough to butt others out of our way, or to make decisions which affect the lives of more than a few.  But all of us can look the other way, can pretend someone doesn’t exist, can dismiss people.  Everybody here is powerful enough to do NOTHING.

And then the king will answer them and say:

You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.

And they will say:

`Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?

And he might well say: I was standing in line yesterday morning waiting for my turkey.  I’ll be sleeping in my car tonight.  I tried to get some gas money so a friend could drive me to a shelter in Warrenton – I’m trying to keep my family together, even though the power’s about to be turned off.

I’m not saying Christ was in any one of those people I met yesterday – but I’m also not saying he wasn’t.  I don’t know – any more than the sheep or the goats in this am’s gospel knew.

Knowing wasn’t the point – serving the least of the brethren was.

Which brings me a yet another practical application of today’s Gospel.

A new need arising
More and more people asking for help
Not enough money to keep the power on
I could easily give away $1000 a week – and it still might not be enough
Don’t have it, either.

But I thought to myself – I do have buildings that need to be heated
Why can’t they have people in them?

Wrote a letter to the min assn about that

Chad Whaley
Called my bluff

Here’s how it works
 20 cots, blankets & pillows
 Supper, entertainment, sleep
 Breakfast, dismissal

Need volunteers – sign up sheet available

Figure we can do that 1 or 2 weeks a year
Take our turn as one of the congregations in the Church of Culpeper
Nov 30th – Dec 7th

Who knows, maybe Jesus will be walking among them.
We might even be letting him into our church.
Giving him a room in the inn, some food to eat, water to drink.
In return, the water that never runs dry, the bread of life, and an eternal habitation.

Blessings for UNCOMMON compassion!

Rev. Michael Gray