Doers of the Word (Not Just Hearers) - May 11
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 78:1-39; PM Psalm 78:40-72; Deut. 8:11-20; James 1:16-27; Luke 11:1-13
Today’s Reflection
But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing. –James 1: 22-25
Recently, I preached a sermon about the Good Shepherd, and what it means for us to follow in Jesus’ footsteps as good shepherds of one another through sharing in the ministries of pastoral care, community outreach, and care of creation. What I preached on that Sunday came to mind today, when I read in James 1 how we are called to be “not merely hearers of the words,” but also to “be doers of the word.” Every week, so many of you are involved in delivering meals and flowers, making flower arrangements and cards and prayer bracelets, knitting baby blankets and prayer shawls, sharing home communion, calling and visiting those who are sick and homebound, and lifting up one another’s concerns in prayer. Pastoral care here at Saint Stephen’s embodies what we hear today in the Letter of James, that we are called to be “not hearers who forget but doers who act.”
While pastoral care, or caring for one another on a personal level, especially during times of transition or crisis, is one of the ways we can “be doers of the word,” it is not the only way. As many of you are aware, we also do a lot in the way of outreach here at Saint Stephen’s—it’s a central part of who Saint Stephen’s is. What’s important to remember about caring for the community is that, to be done right, it really requires being in community with others. While people in our community appreciate and benefit from material and financial assistance, when we follow in the way of Christ we are called to do something more than that—we need to get know and be in relationship with those we come alongside in the community.
I think of how in Avondale, part of the ministry there is handing out breakfast tacos and sandwiches and snack bags—but just as important is the fact that relationships are being formed. And when we start to get to know people by name, and begin to hear their stories, then we are also in a better position to know and meet their needs. Or I think of Woodlawn, of Deacon Kay Williams, and everyone who works alongside her there through GraceWorks. I think of their commitment to get to know people in their community—whether the people who come to the warming station on freezing winter nights, or the young people who are mentored through their summer programming. Or I think of Laundry Love, another ministry in Woodlawn. Laundry Love is equal parts laundry and love. Yes, it’s about giving people access to washers, dryers, and laundry supplies—but it’s equally loving our neighbors by sharing hospitality and conversation with them while doing their laundry. Again, we see James 1 embodied in this work of caring for our wider community; we are living into our call to be “not hearers who forget but doers who act.”
Just as we live out our faith, putting our beliefs into action, through pastoral care and outreach, we also can be “doers of the word” in our care of creation. God has entrusted us, as a church and as individuals, with the precious gift of our natural world. Just as with pastoral care and community care, care of creation also requires knowing and spending time with that for which we care. So, to care for creation, we first must get to know it. And what I’ve found to be true is that the more time I spend in creation, being outside surrounded by it, the more I am reminded of my responsibility to care for it. This is one of the purposes of our Holy Hikes—when we are outdoors together, worshipping God in nature, we are reminded of our holy responsibility to care for the Earth and all its creatures. Or when we care for our Saint Stephen’s forest, and Billy’s Lot, and our beautiful beehives, or cleaning up the Cahaba River, we are being Good Shepherds of our local habitat. Care of creation is something God has called us to from the very beginning of time. So, as we care for creation, this is another way in which we live into our call to be “not hearers who forget but doers who act.”
So, as we reflect this day on what it means to be people who do not merely hear the word but also act on it, we are reminded of the ways that we can be doers of the good word, the Gospel, here in our Saint Stephen’s and Birmingham communities. We are “doers of the word” through the holy work of pastoral care. We are “doers of the word” through the holy work of community outreach. And we are “doers of the word” through the holy work of creation care. As the Letter of James reminds us today, “Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights” (1:17).
—Becky+
Questions for Self-Reflection
In the Letter of James, we read that “if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like” (1: 23-24). How does acting on your faith, going out and “doing the word,” help you to remember the true meaning of who you are called to be in Christ?
Daily Challenge
Learn about St. Isidore’s food truck ministry, The Abundant Harvest Kitchen (based in Spring, Texas), as one creative example of what it means to be not merely hearers of the word, but doers. You can also check out their website.
You can listen to my sermon from April 25 (excerpted here in today’s reflection) on our Saint Stephen’s sermons playlist.