| Easter calls Christians to radical lifestyles  By Eugene Matthews The theme for Asbury UMCs 2003 Lenten observance is The Stones Would Shout. It is based on the account in the Gospel of Luke 19:39-40. Jesus said, If these were silent, the stones would shout. One insight or interpretation of this passage is that alternative actions will occur if there is inaction relative to the son of God. The passage also implies that the God who is revealed in the person of Jesus the Christ influences his followers paradoxically to become radically free and radically involved in ministry. We are presented with a wide range of ministry opportunities, many of which challenge our individual and corporate response. Our congregation was presented just such a challenge and opportunity on Jan. 17, when Juan Pastor died on the front steps of our church. The members of our congregation were deeply saddened by his death and they were moved to take action. The Sunday following Pastors death, more than 60 members of our church came forward to form an ad hoc group to explore ways to ensure that we organized and prepared to help our neighbors who are without shelter. That meeting and subsequent discussions led to a session in our sanctuary with a cross section of groups that provide emergency services in Washington. In a few short days, we learned many lessons; some things we already knew, many we did not. We learned that the homeless face myriad problems; a lack of shelter for most of them is just one. According to officials, more than 2,500 individuals are provided hypothermia shelter on cold nights in the nations capital. Conversely, more than 500 individuals refuse shelter. Based on what we learned, we decided that our efforts would best be focused on formalizing a process to regularly check the church grounds and nearby parks and restaurant areas on nights when the temperature dipped below freezing in search of individuals who wanted shelter. We organized nightly patrols with instructions to call 911 or to contact the hypothermia hotline if we found men or women who needed and wanted shelter. If we found individuals who refused shelter, we offered blankets and hot drinks. Churches located in urban areas face multiple challenges. The issues that we must confront are dramatically different from those encountered by our brothers and sisters in small towns and rural areas. But we are all called to share the love of Christ. It is a challenge and constant struggle and we do not always get it right, but God loves us and give us countless opportunities to try again and again. The death of Pastor presented Asbury with challenges and opportunities. When no next of kin could be located, the members of Asbury provided resources for the funeral and burial of the Guatemalan immigrant. We believe his death will serve as a catalyst for change, calling attention to the plight and needs of immigrants in our country. There is no way to predict how challenges and opportunities will come to us, but the lesson of this Lenten season implores Christians to not avoid taking action to share Gods love. Many issues that confront us are complicated and do not have easy solutions. Lent affirms the fact that Easter cannot come without the preparation or the wilderness. Nor does it come without the burden of the cross which we all must share. The Easter of our lives through the resurrection of Jesus is more than a miracle; rather it is an event that calls us as Christians to a radical style of new life. We are called to be steadfast and to grow stronger in our faith and work for our Lord. The Easter of our lives, individually and corporately, cannot come if we remain silent and leave the rocks to shout or declare the Good News. Our prayer is that this Easter will find all the congregations of the Baltimore-Washington Conference joining Asbury in actively seeking ways to be in the ministry of mission. The Rev. Eugene Matthews is senior pastor of Asbury UMC in Washington, D.C. | 
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