Jesus said,] If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity for him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us love with words and actions and in truth." (1 John: 17-18)

My husband and I have God given material and financial possessions, as well as physical abilities, which make it possible for us to spend part of each winter in Miami (South Beach), Florida. There is much natural beauty, classical music, and a multitude of walking venues there to make the time we spend in that location very enjoyable. As we bask in the warm weather and take advantage of the things which interest us, we can't help but notice the homeless with whom we share this beautiful place. Our faith calls us to respond to their needs.

In South Beach, we attend the Miami Beach Community Church. It is affiliated with the United Church of Christ. One of the church's community outreach programs is to provide space to serve lunch to people who are hungry and/or homeless. In addition to food, counseling service for addiction release, work possibilities, and living space is also available. The program is named Matthew 25. Working with the city's committee to end homelessness, a statewide chain of supermarkets, and a small amount of donations made to the church in support of Matthew 25, a tasty lunch is provided four days a week in the chapel of the church. Volunteers cook the meals, collect food donations from the supermarkets, serve the meals, setup and take down tables and chairs, wash the utensils used to cook and serve the meal, and clean the area before and after each of the meals. Counseling is provided by one of the two ministers and members from the city's committee. Each setting of the meals is begun with prayer.

My husband and I volunteered to help at Matthew 25 this winter and were assigned to the Wednesday team. Our team leader was a man visiting from California. Our fellow team members included a member of the church who was originally from Cuba, a couple from Minnesota, a lady from London, another woman from Canada, and us (New Jersey.) Each week we served between 50 and 90 hungry men and women. My husband's job was to keep the tables dry; pitchers of ice water sweat in the warm room. After each meal, he disinfected the tables and the chairs. He had interesting conversations with those eating the meals and some of them called him "pops." My job was to serve bread products, help wash and dry pots, and fill in for various other small jobs. Our team leader reminded us that when I asked each person whether he or she wanted white bread, brown bread, bagel, muffin, etc. that this simple question was very important. You see, most of the people we served were no longer spoken to by someone who was giving them a chance to make a decision. It was a humanizing action.

Most of the hungry were extremely gracious and thanked us over and over for our service. A few had obvious mental problems but still behaved in an acceptable way - and there were a few who had to be turned away at the entrance because of alcohol, drug or behavioral problems. The city provided two security guards who managed those who needed to be turned away. As we walked around the city, we would often see our patrons on the streets and at the beach. Most would look away. A few, however would give eye acknowledgement, smiles, and even sometimes a "hello." No, we didn't become their friends. We did, however, form wonderful friendships with the members of our team. And, lo and behold, it turned out that five of the eight members of our team were Lutherans!

Thank you Lord for leading us to ways we can put our love of you into action. Thank you for the blessing of making new friends who demonstrate their love for you. Bless those who continue to provide meals for the hungry in South Beach and around the world, and bless those who eat the meals. Continue to lead us to further actions in your name. Amen

Contributed by Nancy
Monday April 20, 2015
Liturgical Year B: Week 21
Liturgical Color: White
Sunday Gospel reading: Easter3
Third Sunday in Easter Sunday