[Propertalk] Fwd: Sermon for Epiphany 3A - Part 2

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Forwarded - Part 2: 

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-------- Original message --------From: Judy Boli
Dear Friends, This Sunday’s sermon - Part 2: WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW JESUS INSTEAD OF OUR CULTURE WHEN WE FACE INTERPERSONAL PROBLEMS?  I’m going to retell a true story that answers this in a striking way.  A young lady named Sally related an experience she had in class, given by her teacher, whom we'll call Brother Smith.  She says Brother Smith was known for his elaborate object lessons. One particular day, Sally walked into class and knew they were in for another fun day.  On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts.  Brother Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone that they disliked or someone who had made them angry . . .and he would allow them to throw darts at the person's picture.  Sally's girlfriend drew a picture of a girl who had stolen her boyfriend.  Another friend drew a picture of her little brother, because she could tell her mother liked him best in the family.  Sally drew a picture of her mother, because she always made Sally do most of the work in the family.  The class lined up and began throwing darts, with much laughter and hilarity.  Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart. Sally looked forward to her turn, and was filled with disappointment when Brother Smith, because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats.  As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn't have a chance to throw any darts at her target, Brother Smith began removing the target from the wall.  Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus....  A complete hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus.  Holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced out.  Brother Smith said only these words, “Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these my brothers or sisters, you have done it unto Me” (Matthew 25:40).  No other words were necessary; the tear-filled eyes of each student focused only on the picture of Christ.  The students remained in their seats even after the bell rang, then slowly left the classroom, tear streaming down their faces (author unknown).  May the story above serve as a reminder that our attitude toward Jesus Christ is demonstrated in the way we treat people around us. For anyone who is interested, this sermon and updated African-American wisdom statements are posted on our parish’s web site under “Sermons & Stuff”. The address is: http://www.stpaulsepisag.org . Blessed preaching,Judy BoliSt. Paul's Episcopal ChurchSaginaw, Michigan



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