Living the Eucharist??

Dear Ones,

As we continue our journey through Made for Goodness by the Tutus, I offer my thoughts this week.  In the second chapter Tutu brings up the idea of "living the Eucharist."  In this chapter we hear the amazing story of Ms. Maphosela and her living the Eucharist (thanksgiving) by reaching out and helping children with HIV/AIDS.  It is an amazing story.  It made me wonder, how do we live the Eucharist?

Yesterday, along with many other Olympia Episcopalians and those of other faiths and denominations, I participated in Faith Advocacy Day at our state capitol.   It was a blessing to meet with Secretary of Health and Human Services for Washington Susan Dreyfus, an Episcopalian, and other Episcopal legislators from our diocese.  In the meeting with our legislators, I found people who are truly tired, dedicated to what they do, striving to be the best, and do the best, and yet tired, burdened.  At one point in our day, one legislator asked if we could pray for them, that they needed our prayers.  YES! And so we did.  But in this meeting it was amazing to hear the care these legislators wished for, more respect for prisoners, for those disabled, and most important, a discourse that would reflect a care for those things, and not so much of what we often see. 

One asked, why is it that those who call themselves Christian, sucuumb to the usual human response in dealing with others, in dealing with these issues.  The question ultimately is, what is so markedly different from the Christian working for the common good, and anyone else?  In fact, often, we seem to be worse with, and to, one another.  It is not a testimony to our faith when we can't do better.  They were asking, without knowing it, how do we live the Eucharist in this place?  I saw them doing it.  It is difficult for them to see but they are.   One of the aids that works for a legislator, an Episcopalian told me something that would be good for all of us to remember.  She said a legislator once told her, "We have a job to do, not a job to keep!"  Self-preservation can lead us to safety but it can also weaken our resolve to lead as a person of faith.  I don't know where I am going with this, but I offer it, as my musings and as the gift that was given me by the time and sharing from these wonderful public servants.

Tutu says, "Sometimes the demonstration of love in action can take us to dangerous places.  Our love and our own goodness compel us to make choices that self-perservation would eschew."  Really?  This is what he calls living the Eucharist.  So I ask, how do we do it?  Do you see it?  Where?  In whom do you see it? 

I appreciate those of you who have responded.  I hope more of you will.  This works best if we respond and if we share! Pray for our legislators.  We elected them, sent as our representatives to do work and regardless of what you hear, they are working, and working hard, to do what is right.  They need to hear from us more often, they said this to me over and over.  And all of us would do well to think of those words of wisdom, "we have a job to do, not a job to keep!"

Lenten Blessings,

+Greg

Comments

[JoAnn Winesdorfer]

I feel this is a wonderful book, and I am very grateful that you chose it for the Lenten reading. Thank you also for reminding us that our legislators are dedicated public servants, not "politicians" to be reviled and distained.