As I sit at my dear friend Rev. Marc Trimm’s house charging devices and using his Wi-Fi, I am drawn to discuss the lack of compassion, understanding, and love that we have seen in this disaster in the south. Last Friday morning, Hurricane Helene came through Augusta, Georgia delivering a direct hit to the city and crippling us.
The church remains without power today on Day 6 of this disaster. Many people are still trying to dig out from downed trees and damaged homes and cars. There have been bright moments of selflessness, with churches and organizations stepping up to help those who need it most.
However, there have been many examples of greed, anger, and outright selfishness. People have taken to price gouging their neighbors and friends. Businesses are raising prices to make a bigger profit off the backs of those of us without money or resources. And even worse, are those who cannot show the slightest bit of humanity when it comes to helping others.
I have seen so many Christians, who have power because of generators or their lucky position near the substations, refuse to help their neighbors with anything. People who have food and supplies watch their neighbors go without rather than share with others.
Jesus spent his ministry on earth preaching a message of helping those in need. He feed the hungry many times, healed the sick, and raised the dead. He would be here helping those who are without power, without food, and whose homes are destroyed. Jesus didn’t ask us to do this, he commanded us to.
This hurricane coming through our area has really opened my eyes. Ministers in our communities have failed our flock. We have failed to teach the message of Jesus but instead have taught a message of false holiness.
If you want to get into heaven, you will be judged on how you treat the least of these, not on how many Sundays you went to church.
Join us this week LIVING the Gospel!
Pax et Bonum,
Bishop Greer