Thursday, November 7, 2024  

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Today's Scripture
Acts 6:1–7

Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.” What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. (NRSV)

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Reflection

The area that surrounds Fourth Church’s campus is in the heart of the city of Chicago. Amid the honking horns and sidewalk conversations, it’s not uncommon to hear the sounds of ambulances whizzing by on their way to Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Those sirens are small but noticeable indicators of great distress. Every time I hear them, I try to remember that in that vehicle is a life, a dream, a relationship with a loved one, that hangs in the balance. But too often these great cries of distress can almost become routine for us and blend invisibly into the cityscape.

The Twelve, the leading disciples in the early church, model for us what it means to hear and attend to signs of distress in an overwhelming world. They paused from the busyness of their ministry to hear the cries of need that rose up from the Hellenist widows, who represent the concerns that could have come from any corner of a community growing among the poor and disenfranchised.

Clearly realizing they did not have the capacity to attend to these community needs on their own, they sought out help that came in the form of the diaconate. The term diakonos, referred to in this passage, in its wider usage referred to a representative of a higher authority figure. But in this case the higher authority is not the Twelve; rather it is Jesus. And the work that Jesus does is of feeding and healing in ways that reach the most vulnerable and marginalized among us, drawing them into the center of God’s love. In the words of theologian Willie Jennings, deacons “perform Jesus.”

Many wonder about the significance of Jesus for this moment we live in. The work of deacons is a reminder that Jesus can be identified and known by those who do good in his name and in his way.

At Fourth Church, our engagement in mission locally, nationally, and globally reflects a congregational desire to model Jesus’ attention to the needs of the distressed. We do not close our ears, shut our eyes, or withhold our hands and resources from the world God so loves. Rather we offer kindness and conversation, meals and space for self-care, funds for grassroots organizations, and presence in Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods and in Cuba — all to demonstrate that the hope and promise to which Jesus speaks is indeed real.

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Prayer
Fount of blessing and author of love, keep us attentive to the needs and gifts of our neighbors near and far. As we respond to them, may the righteous reign of your Beloved One, Jesus, come closer to us. Amen.   

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Written by Joseph L. Morrow, Associate Pastor for Evangelism and Community Engagement

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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