A Heart For Peace
Today’s Readings AM Psalm 137:1-6(7-9), 144; PM Psalm 104 Jer. 35:1-19; 1 Cor. 12:27-13:3; Matt. 9:35-10:4
Today’s Reflection
While in seminary, my field education parish was Saint Alban’s in Washington, D.C., sometimes referred to as the “State Department Church” because of the abundance of U.S. State Department employees worshipping there.
One of my liturgical responsibilities was to read the Gospel. My first time I was quite nervous. That morning, the “Gospeller” (the person processing with the Gospel Book), was a stately, bespectacled gentleman with a white beard and mustache. Before we processed into the nave, he gently introduced himself as Sam Lewis and asked how he could be helpful to me. I was comforted by his graciousness and kindness.
After the service, Sam went out of his way to introduce me to his wife and ask how I was doing living so far from my husband who was back in Alabama. Reflecting on my encounter with Sam, something kept niggling at me—Sam Lewis, Sam Lewis, that name seemed so familiar. I mentioned this to my field education supervisor who burst out laughing and said, “He helped broker the 1978 Camp David peace accord between Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin!" Oh, former Ambassador to Israel—THAT Sam Lewis!
I remember Sam and his wife Sallie frequently seeking me out for conversation and offering to be of assistance. My favorite memory of Sam is of him humbly holding the Gospel book, eyes downcast as I read the scripture. Here, this man who shuffled between Menachem Begin, Jimmy Carter, and Anwar Sadat treated me, a seminarian, with such respect. Sam embodied his devotion to the Gospel.
In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians he reminds us that all members of the body are important; that we are all one in Christ and no part of the body any more or less important than the other.
As our hearts break with yet another horrifying war in the Middle East, perhaps we can find humble inspiration in the life of Sam Lewis—a humble Christian man with a heart for peace who treated Muslims, Jews, Christians, Presidents and seminarians alike with respect.
Like the blind men crying out to Jesus in today’s Gospel we cry out as well.
Lord, have mercy on us!
Heal us of our blindness to our shared humanity.
Heal us of our anger.
Heal us of the horrors of war and injustice.
Heal us of our complacency.
Kyrie eleison
Christe eleison
Kyrie eleison
Yours in Christ,
Mary Bea+
Sam Lewis' Washington Post obituary
Reflection Questions: Who has inspired you to be more humble and to treat all persons with respect? What is your prayer for peace?