Pastor

Pastor's Corner

Saturday, February 04, 2012

Letter from the Director, Week of Compassion

Dear Friends,

In Jesus’ last encounter with his disciples after his resurrection (John 21:15- 19), the Good Shepherd tells Simon Peter to take care of his sheep. “Do you love me?” Jesus asks. “Yes,” Peter replies. Then, “Feed my lambs,” Jesus tells him. “Tend my sheep.” Three times, Jesus passionately repeated his instruction. In this last moment with his disciples, he pressed his followers to hear this call. If you love me, take care of the people I so deeply love. Live your love for me by actively tending these for whom I have sacrificed everything. Give food to the hungry, clean water to the thirsty, clothing to the naked, health care to the sick, welcome the refugee and the stranger (Matthew 25:34-40). Share your strength and refuge with the fearful (Psalm 28:8-9), rescue those in danger (Ezekiel 34:10), and bring justice to the oppressed (Ezekiel 34:16).

At the time of Jesus’ plea to his disciples, the world held about 300 million people. Today, the earth is home to more than 6.7 billion. With so many people, how can we possibly care for Jesus’ far-flung flock, whose needs run so deeply?

We can join hands with our brothers and sisters of faith in support of Week of Compassion. Through this offering, we live our love for our Shepherd by bringing immediate material aid to disaster victims and refugees, helping build strong communities with safe water, education, medical care, and secure sources of food; and supporting the self-development of struggling peoples.

Because Jesus loved Peter, Jesus called him to a different future from what Peter had imagined. He was not to spend years crippled by guilt from having denied his Lord at a critical point in Jesus; Life. No, Peter was to go out and tend Jesus’ flock. Not only did Peter’s future radically change, but an amazing future opened to all who were reached through his ministry.

Similarly, Jesus; call to us to tend his flock changes our future. We connect more deeply with human realities throughout the world and become part of the compassionate community that actively reaches out to care for people when they are in need. And our caring helps shape a new and brighter future of hope and health for all who are touched by Week of Compassion; sharing resources, changing lives including our own.

Thank you for helping to change lives through this ministry we all share as Disciples – Week of Compassion.

Blessings be upon you! Your Partner in the Gospel,

Amy Gopp; Executive Director, Week of Compassion

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