Holy Forgetting

At First Lutheran, Calgary, where I’m pastor, after I announce the offering, I walk to the back of the church to remind the ushers to take up the collection. They often forget. I used to think that they were just forgetful. But then I realized that they were so immersed in the worship that they forgot that they had a job to do.

In a day when churches are worried about finances, I found it refreshing to see that some of my parishioners left all that anxiety aside to the point where they forgot the offering. When they ask of themselves, “With what shall I come before the Lord?” they know that their offering will never define their relationship with God. Their love for God and neighbour defines their faith. They give because that’s who they are.

They’ve heard Micah’s answer to the question of what God wants from them, “to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God,” (Micah 6:8) and they believe it to be true. So when they do take up the offering, they know that the money in the basket is one way that we follow Micah’s call.

Holy God, may I do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with you. Amen. — KP