“The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow.”  Psalm 146:9

“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”  Hebrews 13:2

We have seen productions of Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol several times, going back to the 1980s at the “old” Guthrie Theater.  To me a most vivid image is the destitute children, “Ignorance and Want”, appearing from under the opulent cloak of the corpulent Christmas Present.  The ‘far more than enough’ oblivious to the ‘far less than enough’ living right under his nose.  Ebenezer Scrooge had once called needy children such as these “surplus population”.

Stark images, grim response … it was just a story.  But it wasn’t “just a story”.   Dickens was writing about reality, the economic injustice of his time.  But it wasn’t just his time.  The stark images of children living with ignorance and want are real and vivid today.  The grim response of apathy and even resentment – caring for the poor as a burden on our own wealth – shape personal decisions and administrative policy today, how our money will be spent. 

Who is ignorant?  The neglected displaced children without educational opportunities … or those who cannot, will not see or understand the needs of others.  Who is wanting?  Not only the hungry, unsheltered children but those lacking, desperately in need of compassion and mercy.

The blessings (small b) of success and wealth only become a BLESSING (all caps) when shared.

Gracious God, open our eyes to see the needs all around us.  Fill us with your love and move our hearts to a spirit of generosity and hospitality.  Amen

Verla Olson

Ministries
Teaching Mission Party