Abba Moses asks Abba Silvanus, “Can a man lay a new foundation every day?” The old man said, “If he works hard, he can lay a new foundation at every moment.” ~Silvanus
Our diocesan camp has a small market~size teaching farm. We offer programs during camps and retreat sessions to grow produce and flowers for our kitchen and sell them at the local Farmers’ Market and through our community~support agriculture (CSA) shares plan. Interestingly, our two busiest seasons—summer camp and the farm harvest—happen concurrently. This means that both our farm and camp teams begin to struggle around the same time in the summer. Suddenly, there are groans from the counselors when asked to sing “Pharoah, Pharoah” one more time or to make yet another friendship bracelet. The farm hands begin to smile less at market and are a little less careful when packing the CSA bags. It is a mid~season slump brought on by heat, exhaustion and repetition. And yet, the job requires that each time the counselors are asked to sing, they do so as if it is their favorite song of all time, with joy and enthusiasm. And the job requires the farm hands to smile and chat with every stranger as if they are their new best friend.
For counselors and farm hands, this is what it looks like to serve Christ in all persons. But just as we cannot travel Lent with love and faithfulness through our own power, neither can they travel the summer alone. Only through the light of Christ within us and within those walking with us can we lay a new foundation of love and mercy moment after moment. Only when we remember that God has given us helpers—the presence of the Holy Spirit and each other—can we find the resources we need to walk farther than we could ever walk or sing or smile on our own.
For Reflection
Who or what helps you build a foundation when you are struggling to serve Christ in all persons?
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