Brief synopsis of the readings: Our first reading describes a problem in the earliest days of our church. While they were good at evangelizing new converts they were leaving some widows “neglected in the daily distribution.” Not wishing “to neglect the word of God to serve at table” they appointed seven among them to this task. In John’s Gospel Jesus assured his disciples that there are many dwelling places in the Father’s house and he will prepare a place for them. Thomas then asked how we can know the way. Jesus replied that he is the way, the truth and the life. Phillip then asked to be shown the Father and Jesus replied: “I am in the Father and the Father is in me” and “[t]he Father who dwells in me is doing his works.”

So what do you do when your new organization faces its first crisis? What do you do if you never expected it to happen? That’s actually what we’re seeing in our first reading from Acts. For the last few weeks we’ve seen how the earliest followers of the risen Christ could do no wrong: they shared everything in common, they spoke well, and they baptized an impressive number of converts. So what happened?

Well, first a little background: When Jesus rose from the dead and made himself known he told them that while would leave he would one day return. There was reason to believe that they wouldn’t have to wait long, and more importantly, make long range plans. As time went on, however, Jesus’ expected return wasn’t happening. And even today we see Christians who insist we are in the “end times.” They believe that while all previous generations were delusional about Jesus’ return, they have the key and have unlocked the door of understanding. They know it will happen soon.

But this early group of disciples recognized that something bad was happening: some of the widows were being left out in sharing the group’s resources. This was hardly rare in the ancient world; women depended on their fathers or husbands for their needs and those who didn’t have one often lacked means of support. But isn’t this the kind of thing Jesus railed about? On the other hand the disciples were making such progress in growing their numbers, should they dilute their energies? And let’s be honest in recognizing that feeding the hungry was below them. They were doing the important work. Finally, since Jesus’ return is just around the corner nobody will have time to starve.

Fortunately for them (and us) they found a solution: “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table.” They appointed seven among them, filled with the Spirit and wisdom to ensure justice for the widows. They began a process that has grown and is seen by many of us as critical, foundational work of Christians: ensuring that all are cared for. Groups like Catholic Charities, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Catholic Relief Services, etc. trace their roots to this event. We also see this as the cornerstone of the work of deacons to this day. As many of you know, my father in law is a deacon and is in a nursing home. A few weeks ago the other three deacons from his church came to visit, pray and share Eucharist with him. It was a powerful moment. This also gives us the awareness that there are not only different gifts but different roles. Looking ahead to the Gospel we can even posit the idea that there are different dwelling places.

Last week I spoke about how the gatekeepers of our faith are meant to be inclusive, not exclusive, and I’d like to expand on that. I still think that after 2000 years of existence we still attempt to rank our roles, seeing one group as more important than others. But it simply doesn’t ring true. The theologian who writes a brilliant book is no better in God’s eyes than the teenager who volunteers at the soup kitchen. The Pope earns no more points than the homeless woman who weeps with those who grieve.

And so when my friend and namesake Thomas asked Jesus for a map, he missed the point. I love maps as much as any other baby boomer but we live our discipleship best when we don’t focus on the road ahead as much was when we focus on Jesus who is indeed the way and the truth and the life. In answer to Phillip’s query to see the Father Jesus reminds him that the Father is in Jesus. Again, we live our best discipleship by following Jesus.

Frankly, though, that can be hard. Jesus fed the hungry and cured the lepers but he also blasted the Pharisees and overturned the money changers’ tables. If we want to justify our behaviors it’s not hard to point to something Jesus said or did. But a more expansive look shows us that Jesus overwhelmingly treated others with not only love, but also respect and kindness. When responding to Jesus’ call we need to do the same thing even when it takes courage. It can mean reaching out to people our friends and neighbors don’t like. It means being willing to trade the respect and admiration of others to show kindness on outcasts. It means to recognize that nobody lives outside of our love and concern. Even if the hungry widow is a pain in the neck and has no friends because of her poor decisions.

It also means that we must not use the promise of Jesus’ return as a way to ignore what’s in front of us. Some of the saddest moments I had in hospice dealt with patients who believed so fervently in Jesus’ imminent return that they absolved responsibility for their own planning. In 1999 Rev. Jerry Falwell expressed his belief that the “anti-Christ” of the book of Revelation was a Jewish man who was currently alive and that the “2nd coming” will happen in the next 10 years. Of course I write this 24 years later and Rev. Falwell died in 2007.

There’s much more to the belief in the “2nd coming” that I don’t wish to discuss here but suffice it to say that everyone, from the first disciples to today erred in thinking it was just around the corner. In the meantime let us do the will of the Father by attending to those who are neglected.