I love Erie. It’s an interesting place to live. Though frequently complained about amongst ourselves like a family member who gets on our nerves but whom we still love, when the press maligns it, we’re quick to defend it. It has charm, with a unique community and special attractions. It’s diverse, and even enjoys a special place in our nation as a home to international refugees from all over the world. I came to live here permanently in 2003. I found and married my wife here. I’m quite fond of the place, actually.
But besides the obvious weather factor, Erie has some unique challenges. It’s a city with an above average poverty level–a place where one out of every four children lives below the poverty line. It’s a place that has seen our businesses pack up and leave to go to other cities or even overseas in the past decade. It’s a city that is desperately in need of the kind of altruism we all experienced last month.
But though financial aid is vital, Erie is mostly in need of people who will give of themselves, who will stop when they see a need and act upon it, who are willing to put the needs of others before their own, and who will commit to literally and practically “defend the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and love the alien, giving him food and clothing.” (Deut. 10:18)
Consider this text out of the gospel of Mark:
Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
”What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.””Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
What I find interesting about this passage is that Jesus’ disciples were too busy to have time to meet a passing need. They were so focused on themselves and their own agendas of the moment, that they literally told Bartimaeus to shut up. They were doing ministry, but they had missed the practical need that lay right in front of them.
Jesus on the other hand was never too busy to stop in the moment and meet the needs of those around them. His heart was with the oppressed, the weak, those in need, and he was acutely sensitive and aware where others were not.
Where do we fit into this spectrum? Are we more like the disciples, oblivous to the hurting, hungry, and weary around us, or are we more like Christ, with a passion and commitment to help those in need?
As you enjoy Meta Cafe tonight, stop for a moment and consider the blessings that God has given to you. How can you pour out those blessings into the lives of the people around you? How can we look to serve our community better and meet the needs that we see?
Take some time if you like and begin a conversation with others around you at the cafe. You might consider the following questions as a starting point:
- Is there someone in your life who is struggling emotionally, physically, or financially? If so, what can you do to serve them and show the love of God to them?
- What, in your opinion, is Erie’s most pressing need?
- What steps can you take to get involved in practically meeting that need?
Feel free to comment below and let the staff here at Meta Cafe know what direction your discussion went. What is Erie’s biggest concern or community need at present?
