“You will always have the poor with you…” (John 12:8a)

You have heard it said:  “The only sure thing in life – the only constant in this world – are death and taxes.”

How true.  Death comes expectedly sometimes, and in other times, unexpectedly.  We in and around Our Saviour have experienced in the last couple of weeks both the loss of Susie Estep (our son-in-law Clint’s mother) which was very unexpected, and, of course, our dear brother in Christ, Gary Shealy, passing away from ALS, which, even though it was expected, it was just as painful for us all.

Taxes.  Well, in about a month, we will all experience the paying of taxes.  Some will be blessed with a refund; some will not.  It is what it is.  For all of the freedoms and gifts that come from our democracy (the security of police, fire, and military protection, to name just three), I’m glad to pay what is my portion.

On Sunday, Jesus adds a third tier to that infamous saying.  He says quite clearly that the poor will always be with us.

So – a shadow statement could be made:  Funeral Homes, the IRS, and the Church will never go out of business.  As long as we have humanity, each entity will always have business.  To quote our brother, Martin Luther:  “This is most certainly true!”

You and I as members-ministers-of Our Saviour Lutheran Church-neighbors to anyone in need-will always have challenges set before us.  The poor are always there; their needs never stop.  Our own food pantry will continue to need food.  The little red wagon that we lovingly use to transport the groceries to people from the pantry itself to their cars is emptied and filled-emptied and filled – over and over and over again.  Thanks to Annabelle Mason and David Chalkley, this week the pantry is full again, but it will empty beginning today!

As we move through the season of Lent, consider ways to reach out to “the poor.”  It’s not only those who are financially destitute, but those whose spirit has been broken, their lives somehow disfavored.  Pastor Ed and I do a lot of counseling with folks who have all of these needs.
Pray for your pastors but also pray for yourselves as you are dared by God’s Holy Spirit to step out of your comfort zone to help anyone less fortunate that you or me.  Lent is a great time to create a new discipline of service to others.  Even though we’re past the half-way mark of the season, there is no better time to consider this!

Peace be with you as you move forward this Lent.  And – as always – remember:  God loves you and so do we!

Pastor Jim