Where Charity and Love Are, God is There
Table Talk
Setting the Table
You are welcome here. Come just as you are, bringing whatever is on your heart today. Take a few moments and allow yourself to just be. Take a couple deep breaths, grab yourself a cup of coffee, light a candle, do something that brings you comfort. Allow yourself to be present in this moment.
Reflect on a moment when you undeniably felt God’s presence.
Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
(Where Charity and Love are, God is there.)
- “Ubi Caritas,” Traditional Hymn
Acts 2:43-47
Awe came upon everyone because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Food for Thought
Have you ever had one of those moments when, in the midst of what seems regular and ordinary, the goosebumps rise on your arms and you can tangibly sense there is more to things than meets the eye? You can’t fully comprehend or even explain what’s happening, but it just feels like there’s another layer of spiritual glue holding everything together.
As a pastor, it is not uncommon within the context of the church for folks to refer to those moments as “holy moments,” but just as often, we experience these “holy moments” elsewhere. One example I think of immediately is cheering for the Boston Marathon, immersed in a sea of people who are standing around cheering with all their hearts, with all of their energy, for people they don’t even know! Total strangers cheering one another on to the finish.
Maybe that’s what it is – when everyone pulls together and pools together the things that are theirs toward a common goal for good. Hearts and minds toward one thing – toward one good purpose.
I remember one moment like this so clearly because it was so unexpectedly powerful. Several years ago, my sisters and I had gone out for a late-night hang out at one of our favorite spots. It was pretty quiet – the owner was there, the bartender, us, and maybe one or two other folks.
Then, in walked Chuck. Chuck later let me know that life had not been the kindest to him, but I didn’t know that when he walked in. When Chuck came in, he talked to the owner for a bit, and then he just sort of stood over to the side by himself.
I have never been one who likes to see people standing by themselves. I know that some people really like to be alone, but I didn’t get that sense from Chuck. So, I went over to him, introduced myself, and spent some time talking with him.
I don’t remember the whole of our conversation, but I remember at one point asking whether he liked music. He told me that he loved music, that he used to play keyboard and organ in a band.
I’m not sure what came over me exactly, but all of a sudden I took it upon myself to ask Chuck if he wanted to play something together, because – lo’, and behold – there was an organ in the place! It didn’t look like it had been played in some time, and I wasn’t even sure it worked, but in that moment it was as though someone else was running the show – “Would you play something? Does this thing work? Can we get this turned on? Chuck wants to play…”
We got that organ up and running, and Chuck ended up awing us with his amazing gift for music. Before long we were singing “Jesus Loves Me” and “Swing Low Sweet Chariot”. Chuck played an original piece he had written, and everyone was there, gathered around, cheering for Chuck, and singing together in harmony. It was a magical moment.
And then somebody shouted, “Hey, is anybody hungry?” And someone else chimed in, “Let’s call for pizza!” And it turned out someone else just happened to have two free passes for pizza. We ended up having a meal together, along with good music.
There is something salvific about that kind of moment where everybody comes together in one shared, beautiful effort toward some kind of life-giving goodness. Domino’s pizza, a random organ, Chuck and the rest of us – a ragtag crew. There was something holy – something of God – in all of it.
In the midst of our charity and love, God was there.
As Chuck shared his gifts, as somebody offered their pizza – we shared in true communion through our hospitality to one another.
Yeah, there was certainly something beautiful in that place – something truly holy. The kind of holy moment that isn’t limited to any particular place, to any particular liturgy, or particular way of doing things. It was the kind of holy that just happens when we open ourselves to what we might hold in common with those around us and when we offer all that we have in the name of love.
Holy moments are all around. Be intentional today about being more present with those around you, about being generous with your charity, with your love.
The goal of this series is to take small steps toward inviting others into deeper community with you. One way might be inviting others to join in for a little Table Talk. Here is a printable version of today's Table Talk, Where Charity and Love Are, God is There, that we hope you will use in whatever way is helpful in your journey!
Blessing
God, unite our gifts and our hearts toward the well-being of one another. May the charity and love enacted in our living, yield something of holiness in each moment. Amen.
A little Table Talk for your table...
Share about a time when you undeniably felt God’s presence.
What was it about that moment that was so powerful for you?
How can you be more open to the holy moments happening around you?
Try taking it to the Kids Table...
Ask your kiddo what “holy” means to them. What does it feel like? Look like? Sound like? Remind your child that there is holiness in the ordinary, everyday of life – keep a look out for moments that feel especially full of love and kindness!
“Where charity and love are, God is there.” Talk about how acts of love, kindness, and generosity reveal something of God’s love in the world.
Ask your child about a time when they worked together with friends to reach a goal. How did each of them contribute to the effort? Talk about how sometimes it is easier to achieve something with the help and gifts of others.
Meet Our Welcoming Voice!
Rev. Daryn Stylianopoulos is originally from North Carolina, but has called Boston, MA home for the past eighteen years. She is a graduate of Wake Forest University and Boston University School of Theology and serves as a Baptist pastor in the Boston area. Daryn is an advocate for the marginalized and works against injustices in her community. She believes in creatively cultivating a spirit of cohesion, welcome, and healing in the world. A lover of art, music, gardening, and, most of all, family, she often looks to these for inspiration in her work and ministry.
To hear more from Daryn throughout the week, follow along on our Instagram!
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