This Sunday, when our scheduled speaker was unable to attend, Service Leader Col. Bruce Wood, US Army (Retired), delivered what became a rousing sermon on how we, as a faith community, were morally obligated to respond compassionately to those suffering through PTSD and other related conditions. Bruce shared some of his own military experience and then, citing the Gospel of St. Matthew, suggested the idea of helping the suffering civil community, as well. Following his presentation, the congregation engaged one another in a very thought-provoking discussion of how traumatic events can transform us, for better or worse, and how different communities and different times treated these people.
Matthew 25:34-40 New International Version (NIV)
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’