Critics are Everywhere

Proper21B Immanuel Lutheran Church, Moses Lake September 29, 2024 by Sr. Annette Fricke There is plenty of evidence to not only suggest, but fully illustrate that Jesus had a lot of disappointing moments with the disciples. Here they are again when they come back from a mission trip, not gleefully rejoicing that people are out doing works in Jesus’ name but trying to stop them because they were not following Jesus in the same manner that they thought they should. Critics abound wherever we go especially when we consider all the inspections and required licenses of physical spaces of business, for example or care facilities for those who need nursing care on a long-term basis. “This isn’t right and that isn’t right. This shouldn’t be this way, but that way. You also see this kind of conversation inside churches because it also extends to how a church fulfills its mission in the community as well as how to go about it within the church in which is a part of the outside community. Some people have a more open view of people whose opinions are different from theirs and others would have us fit in their boxed in ideas of doing it right. The truth is that everyone has a bit different sense of what it means to do something right. In my previous job in Spokane a few years back, I once took 5 days in a row off for a vacation yet was called to come back to work on 2 of those days. Most folks I know, including myself, don’t appreciate being told we have the week off, then being called into work. It was made known that I was preaching at the local nursing home and could not come in on day shift on Sundays. The second day I was asked to come in the message left on my phone indicated that someone was needed to stay till after dinner until “things settled down.” What that meant was still left for me to discover. I returned to work on a Wednesday to find out that the State was there to address complaints, three of them about the floor I worked on. In addition to that, aides from the skilled nursing unit were to work with us on the assisted living floor until they were certified. They had failed to meet the deadline of transitioning from registered nursing assistant to certified nursing assistant within 120 days because they were unable to schedule taking the written and skills tests required for the state certification. At least 3 of my co-workers were now working in the Skilled Nursing Unit. Another issue was on my assisted living floor about who is qualified to serve food and who is to cover the floor and what happens when residents call during meals? What happens is this: the State needs to be satisfied that all is done according to the specifications dictated by the laws and regulations concerning assisted living. In skilled nursing, you are required to be certified by the state to work there. My mind went back to the days when aide work was on the job training and the charge nurse made sure you were properly trained. Change happens and consequences are always in place for not following it. Now the state must be satisfied, or facilities are written up, complaints posted publicly, people get fired, and/or facilities get shut down. As communities, both residential facilities like the one where I worked in Spokane and churches have something in common. At each juncture when someone new comes into the community or visits before accepting residency or membership, we need to ask ourselves the question, “How do I welcome the stranger, the newcomer?” “How will I make this person feel welcomed and accepted?” “What behaviors will we find difficult to accept and where will we draw the line?” Each community has certain values that are expressed by its members. I used to teach my staff to not only look for new staff members by whether they would be competent to perform their jobs but also how their personalities would fit with the personalities already on staff. Personalities must work well enough together to be able to work as a team. As we converse with each other on an equal playing field and learn to respect those who have differing opinions, our conversations should lead us to changes that will be beneficial to growth. We can respond in different ways that previously. We can accept ideas both great and small and see where they lead. Most of all we need to always be aware of whether our actions are ones of peace, loving relationships, and forgiveness. Everything we say and do, according to this text should strive to create an atmosphere of peace. We should abhor violence and anything that keeps us far from peace. Our interactions with others should be from a position of compassion even when we disagree with others’ words and actions. We need to really listen closely to others. Our strength should never smother another’s weakness. Like a dimly burning wick, we should shield from wind and provide oxygen. We should feed and nourish our relationships, so they thrive and those who come from the outside will feel welcome. Because that is living the gospel.