10/13/2024
Matthew 25:35-40:
For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me in. 36 I needed clothes, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you looked after me. I was in prison, and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you in any of these states and provide relief? “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
We are investigating virtues, which is God’s love expressing through us as various qualities. The one I want to discuss today is the virtue of reaching out to others. It seems like a simple thing, but it is a virtue not everyone uses, but everyone can develop. It is a complex virtue, a combination of several others: Empathy, patience, humility, friendship, generosity, kindness, courage, integrity, perseverance, respect, and faith. This one simple virtue, this one single act, expresses a broad spectrum of God’s love.
The act of reaching out fosters connections, builds community, and demonstrates love and empathy. In the context of Christian teachings, reaching out aligns with several Biblical principles. As our opening verse describes, to reach out, to give relief and support to someone in need, demonstrates God’s love through service.
Reaching out can be seen as fulfilling the great commandment to love ourselves and our neighbors. Jesus is a powerful example of reaching out. Throughout His ministry, He reached out to the marginalized, the sick, the criminals, and the outcasts. He showed us that reaching out is not just about meeting physical needs but also about offering love, acceptance, and compassion. In Romans 15:7, we are reminded, “Reach out and welcome one another to God’s glory. Jesus did it; now you do it!”
Part of reaching out is to help share the burdens of others. In Galatians 6:2, we are instructed, “…carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Author Charles Dickens wrote, “No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” Reaching out means being willing to share in the struggles and challenges of others. It means offering a listening ear, a helping hand, a compassionate heart, and a ready prayer. By doing so, we live Christ’s law, which is rooted in love and service.
One result of reaching out to others is the reciprocal joy that flows. Hebrews 13:16 reminds us, “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Reaching out brings joy not only to those we help but also to ourselves. It is in giving that we receive, and in serving that we find true fulfillment. When we reach out, we become instruments of God’s love, peace, and grace in the world.
Reaching out is a tangible expression of God’s love and care for all His children and reflects God’s idea of religion. James 1:27 tells us, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” Have you ever wondered what God’s religion would be? When we go to heaven, is there a religion? There are scores of thousands of religions and denominations on earth, but in heaven apparently there is just one. The religion, the belief system, that God holds as pure and perfect is to look after those less fortunate, less healthy, the downtrodden, and dismissed.
Also, we are to keep ourselves from being polluted by the world, free from the worldly values, behaviors, and hurtful actions and thoughts that are contrary to God’s teachings. Free from the influence of the ego. God’s idea of religion emphasizes the importance of maintaining spiritual purity and avoiding the moral and ethical decay that can come from conforming to secular standards. This means that true religion involves both caring for those in need and maintaining personal holiness by not allowing ourselves to be tainted by the hurtful and unproductive practices and attitudes prevalent in the world.
Micah 6:8 says it this way: He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. To act justly – reach out with love. Walk with God, not the world.
Reaching out does not take any particular skill; it just requires our attention. We need to notice the people around us and be open to what our senses tell us. Author Celeste Ng wrote of an experience while she was driving. She passed an elderly woman on a bench and then went back to her because something was nagging at her. Her instincts told her to return to the woman and check on her. As they spoke, Celeste learned that the woman had walked further from home than her body had energy for. Ng kindly drove the grateful woman home.
Many of us can reach out quite easily. For others it is more difficult. Some of us must train our inner ears to listen to the guidance of that still small voice. We can all expand our outreach capabilities. We can all expand our empathy and try to understand and share the feelings of others. By releasing our own will, we can put ourselves in their shoes and consider their perspectives. This makes it easier to connect and offer support.
We can practice active listening. When someone speaks to us, we can give them our full attention, listen without interruption, and show that we value their words. This builds trust, encourages open communication, and can lead to them revealing a pain point that provides an opportunity to help. We can make ourselves available, volunteer and be ready to act and make an impact.
One powerful way to reach out is to pray for others, to support and encourage them. In praying for others, we are fulfilling the commandment Christ gave us: love each other. We all benefit when we assist one another. We are spiritually fulfilled as we give from our heart the gifts of our time, talent and treasure, and as we inspire others through the power of affirmative prayer.
When we pray for others, we reach out in faith and enfold them in love. We are one in Spirit with each other, for we are all children of God. As we pray for others, we tap into our spiritual connection that joins our hearts and minds. Through prayer, we are part of God’s network of people who spiritually affirm one another. Every time we pray, every time we reach out and give our love and encouragement, we are more aware of the living Christ Presence within us all.
Prayer is more than words or thoughts. It is an action, a way of reaching out in love to help, lift, and empower others. Mother Teresa, in her infinite grace and wisdom, advised us to, “Spread love wherever you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” She was an example of reaching out through prayer in action.
As we go about our day, we bless others. Each time we smile, lend a listening ear, or simply tell someone to have a good day, we are spreading love. These small acts of kindness are examples of prayer in action, ways of reaching out to others in a way that, hopefully, helps them feel happier in that moment. Whether we bless one person or many, we are an example of prayer in action as we reach out in love. As 1 Corinthians 16:14 teaches, “Let all that you do be done in love.” Reaching out is the Golden Rule in action: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.
We often don’t prioritize reaching out to the people around us, whether they’re friends, family, or colleagues. However, a study by the American Psychological Association shows that an unexpected message can be significantly meaningful to others. They found that the element of surprise played a significant role in how appreciative people felt about the connection. So, don’t hesitate to send your old friend a message; you never know what they might be going through. We know how it feels when we receive a surprise call, email, or text. So why not share that feeling? The Buddha said, “Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”
Poet John Albert Holmes wrote, “There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” It is my prayer that we dare to reach out, dare to connect and share a word, smile, touch, or prayer with friends, family, or even total strangers; dare to lift someone up. As we leave church today, I pray that we commit ourselves to the virtue of reaching out. Let us be the hands and feet and face and voice of Jesus, extending love, compassion, and support to those around us. In doing so, we not only fulfill the teachings of Christ but also build a stronger, more compassionate community.
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