My Dear People,
I’ve been attending a very good seminar the past few weeks at the Center for Congregations. It is titled, “Faith, Money and Giving,” and is presented by staff from the Lake Family Institute on Faith and Giving that is part of the Center on Philanthropy.
One of the presentations used a sermon on the Parable of the Good Samaritan by St. Augustine.
Robbers have left you half-dead on the road; but you’ve been found lying there by the passing and kindly Samaritan. Wine and oil have been poured into you, you have received the Sacrament of the Only begotten son…lifted onto his mule…brought to the inn, you are being cured in the Church. … This is what, what all of us are doing; we are performing the duties of the innkeeper. (From Sermons of St. Augustine as quoted in the Center’s handout).
They asked us to reflect on what good innkeepers do. In my memory of travels and staying at bed and breakfast places in Germany and Ireland, I recall that innkeepers are sometimes curious in a friendly and good sort of way. They want to know where I am from, what brought me this place, what I have seen, what I hope to see, how I like the place. They really want to know what I want.
Interestingly, the talk about Faith, Money and Giving was not advice on how to get more money from our congregations. It wasn’t about techniques. It was about the need to learn from people – from you – what is precious to you, what matters to you, what are your dreams and hopes. What are the struggles?
Here are two other interesting questions that I want to share with you. Who taught you your first lessons about money? What lesson did they teach?
Affirmation of something we all want for our parish: To be like the Inn to which the Good Samaritan (Christ? Someone else?) has brought us. A place of being cared for.
Love,
Fr. Larry