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A Contemporary Story: Maria’s Response
It was Sunday morning. Maria rushed to church her mind preoccupied with the tasks she usually did before worship began. She followed her usual routines, checked that the Bible readings for the day were book marked, made sure there was a glass of water by the lectern, and with 5 minutes to spare she slipped into her usual place.
As the service began Maria became aware of a woman, wrapped in a shawl, cowering next to her. She seemed agitated. She kept looking over her shoulder to the entrance to the church. As the congregation rose to sing the woman got more agitated. She pushed past Maria and ran out of the side door. Maria didn’t hesitate. She followed the woman into a courtyard. Turning round she saw a man follow them. He was obviously angry and looked threatening. Maria wrapped her arms around the woman and placed herself between the woman and the man. The man stopped when someone from the congregation stepped out with a mobile phone. Hearing another voice Maria called out “Call the cops!”. The angry man ran into the church and exited into the street.
The woman was sobbing and continued to shake with fear. She kept whispering “I am sorry” “I am so sorry. Please forgive me”. Maria assured her that there was nothing to forgive. She was safe. Finally Maria returned to the service and led the woman in with her. The service of worship had continued.
It was the next day that Maria got a text from one the leaders in her church. He wanted to meet her in the evening at the church. With no idea as to why he wished to speak to her, Maria arrived at the church. With no friendly greeting he confronted her angrily about her actions with a stranger during Sunday’s worship. He accused her of disturbing a service of worship, of being inconsiderate as people prayed and finally ended “Why didn’t you let the woman go out alone?”
Finally Maria found her voice. “I will not apologise for my actions yesterday. There was a stranger in God’s house who was in trouble. I doubt that God would place the liturgy and the worship above the protection of a woman who was obviously terrified. I know that God will forgive me if my actions were wrong. But I know that God’s love reaches out to everyone.” She paused, took a deep breath and walked out of the church.
Pray:
God of compassion and open arms, show me those who need my loving acceptance this week, even if others may disapprove.