PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND

April 23, 2025

ACTS OF COMPASSION AND CARING

February of this year the Rev. Matthew Pickut, the associate at the church Diane and I attend, contracted a strep infection that got into his blood stream.  Within a few days Matt went from a healthy individual to being unresponsive in the critical care unit of the St. Joseph hospital in Mishawaka, Indiana.  Presently, he is in a special facility in Kentucky where he is showing some progress.

Almost immediately upon learning of Matt’s condition First United Methodist church and the Plymouth community at large moved to support him, his wife, and his young daughter.  Meals were provided, person’s stepped forward to help with the care of his daughter, love gifts were forthcoming, and a prayer network was begun which today extends across our country.

April 27^th First UMC is having a dinner, bake sale, and auction for Matt and his family.  All of the tickets for the dinner have been sold, donations keep coming in for the auction, and a number of people have made cash donations.  Several organizations in the community have offered their help of time and resources.  This year at the regular meeting of the North Indiana Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church a special offering will be taken for Matt.

The outpouring of support for Matt and his family is but one example of the caring and compassionate nature of Americans.  Several work teams from Marshall county have gone to help with the rebuilding of southern Indiana following the Spring outbreak of tornadoes.  About every week there is an article in the Pilot News about a fundraiser for someone who has experienced tragedy in his or her life.

Showing compassion and caring for the less fortunate and for those who are going through tough times is a part of the Judeo/Christian tradition.  In the parable of the last judgment (Mat. 25:31-46) the division between the sheep and the goats is based upon how well one responded to the needs of others.

Compassion and caring is a hallmark of Islam.  One of the five pillars of the faith is charity.   In the Quran you will find, “They ask about giving: say, ‘Charity you give shall go to the parents, the relatives, the orphans, the poor, and the traveling alien.’  Any good you do, God is full aware there of.” (2:215)

In I Timothy 6:17, 18 you will find, “As for the rich in the present age, charge them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.  They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share.”

From my more than forty years in the ministry I think it is no accident that the target of Timothy’s advice is the rich and not the middle class or the poor.  Some of the most generous persons I have met have come from the lower income brackets.  They want to share because they have experienced in their own lives the importance of people helping people in times of need.

One never likes to see tragedy and reversals of fortune take place.  Never-the-less, they do provide excellent opportunities to be reminded of the generous caring and compassionate nature of the American people.

(This article was originally published April 22, 2012.  Comments may be sent to davidh15503@embarqmail.)