Conversation Point

In This Moment

The Mutuality of the Gospel

The CBS Evening News ran a regular segment years ago called "On The Road With Charles Kuralt." The late Mr. Kuralt and his motor coach traveled back and forth across the United States, gathering newsworthy human interest stories, and tremendous respect for Kuralt, who always treated the subjects of his stories like national treasures he had been privileged to spend time with, if only for a moment in time. He connected with these people, from brick makers to homemakers, as if they were long-lost relatives welcoming him back to the family after far too long an absence. As it turned out, they were national treasures, and so was Kuralt. You see, Mr. Kuralt learned an important lesson bumping his way across the highway, in that when we are away from home we must trust others to provide the resources of home for us.

I am sure that Jesus and Charles Kuralt could have shared a few conversations about the kindness of strangers in their travels. Although Jesus' travels didn't extend across the vastness of the North American continent, he did travel on foot, according to Luke's gospel, "through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out; and Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward, Choza; and Susanna; and many others, who provided for them out of their resources (Luke 8:1-3)."

Has it ever crossed your mind, in practical, day to day terms, how Jesus managed these preaching assignments and public speaking events that left him no time to create a paid living for himself? Jesus' culture, although not as reliant on cold, hard cash as ours, still required people to provide physically for themselves and their families, maintain their homes and pay their taxes. Being on the road on a regular basis, Jesus was still responsible for caring for himself and paying his taxes, which does deserve some awareness on our part as to how he made that work.

Luke's words are an indication that Jesus' followers were well aware that in giving to them in his work, Jesus also needed the resources they had to offer back to him. We can assume that these tangible resources included food, shelter, clothing, and money if necessary. The less tangible were most likely also evident. Hospitality, the peace of a settled home at the end of a long, hard day, the warm rhythm of family life that surely reminded Jesus of his own brothers and sisters and their families at home in Nazareth. These are the true treasures of home that people we meet while traveling can grant us without even knowing the blessing they have bestowed. Each of these people Jesus met on his journeys clearly felt stirred by his presence with them, but Jesus also received the grace of kindness which strengthened him on the difficult days, and lightened his spirit on the easier ones.

We have opportunities to give and receive these "traveling graces" today too. Have you ever relocated to a new neighborhood, city, state or country? I have, more than once. Having given and received this kindness as a new pastor, and as someone welcoming a new pastor to my home congregation, I thank God for my friend and her family, two houses down, who has helped me in more ways than she knows. Because of her I know how to get to the mall by the back route, my cats are cared for with loving attention when I go on vacation and I have a place to go when I just need a place to be myself. She is a blessing in so many ways I cannot even name them. Modern day pastors in particular share these bonds of travelers kindnesses. Freed by congregational support to minister full time, we bring along families with whom we must protect and nurture the boundaries of a home left behind, and open ourselves to the resources of the kindness of strangers each time we begin a new ministry. Fresh starts are tantalizing, but not when you need a haircut, and are not sure whom to trust, or when your cat falls ill, and your vet is three hundred miles away.

These are the times when a new travel companion's worth cannot be measured in anything even as wonderfully tangible as a good haircut and a healthy, happy cat. Blessings from God, given and received, are package deals. They bless the giver and the receiver.

Until next time, God's blessings.

posted by Cory L. Kemp @ 10:27 PM