On the day that I was ordained as an elder in The United Methodist Church, a beloved older pastor gave me some well-intended advice: “Joe, as a pastor you are so very fortunate
to be able to carry Christ to little children, to the sick, to the funeral home, to those in prison, to the lonely, and to all who are broken.”
My pastor friend, while quite sincere, was wrong. As I shepherded the people in my community and in the congregation, as I tried to be present to the hurts and hopes of people, I learned that the living Christ was already present in their situations.
My opportunity came in witnessing to Christ’s presence. The reign of Christ reminds me that I do not need to “carry Christ” anywhere; he is ever present with those who are cursed with overabundance and those who live in poverty. Our task is to bear witness to the One who is already present.
One way we show our love for God comes in loving others. God is incarnate in all people; all of us are God’s children.
When I am honest with myself, I acknowledge that I can so easily get caught up in my own interests and concerns that I have no room for others. I pray that the faith of others will not be crushed or stifled because of my introspection.
Jesus clearly states what we are to do. He also tells us what we are not to do: “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” When we turn from “the least of these,” we turn from the Christ who reigns over all and in all.