They'll Know We Are Christians

Gosh! I love singing that song, ‘They’ll Know We Are Christians’. When I recall teaching CCD to a group of fourth graders that included my older son, Warren, at the time, I remember how we started each class singing that very song. There's so much meaning in those words. The second verse always is the verse I'll remember most and it goes like this….

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand, we will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand, and together we'll spread the word that God is in our land, and they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, they'll know we are Christians by our love.’

You know, as Christians, we are constantly reminded that we are called upon to be ‘like Christ’ at all times and to ask ourselves from time to time, what would Jesus do?

Not long ago, during baseball season, some members of my family and I had the opportunity to go to see the last Orioles game of the season. It was spectacular! The air was cool, but it was exhilarating, and as we cheered and yelled to the top of our lungs, as each run scored increased the O's chances of winning the game, I thought about how lucky we were to be there, in a sky box, enjoying fine food, great company, and a fantastic game. I have to admit, I never gave any thought to those who were not fortunate enough to enjoy what I had, and what my children and grandchildren had also.

But I was suddenly reminded, when I left the game that evening, of my good fortune and someone else's misfortune.

My family and I had enjoyed a nice array of tasty entrees, such as lean roast beef, crab cakes, hamburgers and hot dogs, accompanied by several cheeses, Caesar salad, snacks and sodas. There was an abundance of food and we left the luxurious sky box with a large assortment of it all. As we walked along, heading back to our vehicle, my grandson saw him! One of God's unfortunate children, sitting on the curb, invisible to the crowd that passed him by, but not to him! For a moment, he saw ‘the face of God’ in this man, and without thought or hesitation, gave what might have been tomorrow's lunch or late night snack to him! We all stopped and were touched by his act of thoughtfulness and generosity towards the homeless man.

I sometimes wonder, how often is it we profess to be children of God, yet at times forget to do God's work. He has told us that “whatsoever you do for the least of my brother, that you do into me”.

As a grandmother, I was very proud of my grandson for his act of kindness that day, but even prouder that for a mere moment, he did, ‘what Jesus would do’ and did it.

I would ask God to bless my grandson, Kevin, for his unselfish act of kindness, but I know in my heart, He already has!