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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
An Expression of Love
April 11, 2006
I couldn't believe my eyes. I was driving through downtown Norwich
when I caught a glimpse of the Mayor sweeping the street in front of the
Shannon building. I had to look twice and I almost got rear-ended because
I stepped on my brakes to make sure I was seeing what I thought I was
seeing.
Of course I should have expected it. Over the last few months I have been
hearing how the Mayor has been doing crazy things. One day he was
serving coffee at Kokopelli on Broad Street. Another day he was sweeping
up hair and greeting customers at the Antenna Salon in Norwichtown. Last
week he was checking out books at the Otis Library. This past weekend
he was rolling dough and making grinders at Greenville Pizza.
It is hard to reconcile my image of a Mayor with what I see Ben Lathrop
doing. I always thought of the Mayor as a political figure, the kind who is
shaking hands and patting babies on the head during election campaigns.
But this Mayor is different. He seems to really care about the city and the
people who live here. You can relate to him like he is one of us.
As I thought about this powerful man who was engaging us in these
various ways, I couldn't help but think of Jesus. The apostle Paul tells us
that although he was God, he humbled himself and took on the nature of a
servant. Jesus was the author of the book on humility and public service.
Ghandi, Martin Luther King and Sister Theresa all followed his example.
You see, Jesus didn't come to sit on a throne and rule over us. He came to
live and work and be a part of our every day lives. He wanted us to know
that he loved us and he would do whatever it took to make it possible for
us to enter a glorious future together.
A few months ago the Mayor participated in a ceremony where he opened
some doors to City Hall. It was a symbolic gesture but it sent a message.
The Mayor was saying that this administration was going to make itself
available to all the people.
As we come to Holy Week, I am reminded that this is exactly what Jesus
did when he entered Jerusalem. Within a few days he would be nailed to
the cross and crucified. While Jesus was on that cross he provided the key
to opening the gates of heaven. He provided the atonement for our sins by
giving himself as a perfect offering. On Good Friday, Jesus showed us
how much he loved us. He proved that he was willing to do the dirty work
so that the Gates of Paradise would be opened for all who believe. On
Easter we celebrate the victory and the new reality that God's kingdom has
come for one and all. Praise God. Alleluia!
Happy Easter. See you in church. Cal.
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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