“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
(John 13.35
NRSV)
Kerry Lappan, age 31, was sitting by the fateful hole that day. After the plane was safely on the ground Kerry described what happened. "The whole plane was falling to pieces," she said, "and I thought, 'This is it!' but there was a man in front of me. " Kerry did not know the man sitting in front of her. But in her own words, "he was--a wonderful, wonderful man." He held my hand," she said, "and he comforted me. It was so loving and so comforting to have someone's hand to hold."
In truth, that is what the church is all about. There are times when we need someone to hold our hand--to listen to us--to pray for us. The church at its best fosters a sense of community among people who may come from different backgrounds and who may even hold different beliefs. The people on the airplane did not choose each other. We in the church do not choose each other but once someone enters our fellowship it is our responsibility to be a caring community. It's always comforting to have someone's hand to hold. We need one another.
God of love, help me to show the love you have given to me. In Jesus name, Amen.
Ron Newhouse