On Foot

by The Reverend Leigh Waggoner

For Your Reading: Luke 14: 1, 7-1 4

"Keep us, we pray, from thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought to think, and ready at all times to step aside for others, that the cause of Christ may be advanced."

These words are from our Collect today as we remember Chad, Bishop of Mercia and Northumbria in the mid-seventh century. According to "Holy Women, Holy Men" (p. 254), he was a man who made his diocesan rounds on foot. His preference was to "read and meditate in a small house he had built" rather than his episcopal residence. Chad served and followed the Christ, who in today's gospel, encouraged humility.

Language in support of practices that encourage or lead to humility is not dominant in our culture. Even in the church we often talk about "outreach" when in fact what we are talking about may be "down-reach" - a paternalistic taking care of "those" poor people who need what we have. As the world is concerned, it goes without saying that we are a privileged lot. And who among us wants to step down from our horse and walk like Chad? How many of us would move from our places of relative wealth, educational superiority, or ability to be heard in the Commons so that "those" people could share in what we have? Would we not rather take care of "them?"

A world built on God's justice is all that will ever reduce the world's need for charity. Meanwhile, until God's reign comes in its fullness you and I are fortunate to live in a diocese that recognizes the gospel imperative to move "beyond the practice of charity at arm's length and live into the transformational embrace of suffering which is what true love demands." (From Bishop Robert O'Neill's opening address to Diocesan Convention, 2011)

Those words challenge us to loosen our grip on the high place accorded us at the world's socio-political-economic table. They impel us toward our sisters and brothers who are watching us from God's banquet table where those in poverty wait in hope. Who are those folks in your community? When you stretch out your hand toward them, how far down - really - do you reach? What is it that keeps you distant from them?

It will be only when we no longer pity these our sisters and brothers that we will be able to truly love them. And it will only be when we give ourselves to walking alongside them that we will find we are one.

For Your Prayer: Almighty God, for the peace of the Church your servant Chad relinquished cheerfully the honors that had been thrust upon him, only to be rewarded with equal responsibility: Keep us, we pray, from thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought to think, and ready at all times to step aside for others, that the cause of Christ may be advanced; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (The Collect for Chad, Bishop of Lichfield)

For Your Reflection: Who in your community might you find if you go on foot and walk? What keeps you distant from them now? What would happen if you walked alongside them? How might you do that?

The Rev. Leigh Waggoner serves as the rector of St. Barnabas of the Valley in Cortez, and as the clergy representative to the Diocesan Standing Committee from the Southwest region.