Mucking is Sacramental

This evening we met with Rev. Rob Moore, an Assistant to the Bishop of the Louisianna/Texas Gulf Coast Synod. He had many great things to say, however one of my beloved "sisters" brought up a question which led to a brief discussion of "What is the role of the church?" "Worship or Social Service?" "Providing food & blankets or distributing the sacraments?"
Now I know any good Lutheran would say "both and," and I know social involvement and worship can both exist....but read on.
Yes, there are 2 ways in which God becomes "tangible" through bread, wine & water, combined with the Word; which give us the clearest "face-to-face" with God.
Yet, consider this....
++ Jesus criticized the scribes & pharisees (leaders of the "church" of their time) for not
"going out" and "reaching out" to the leppers, orphans, blind and the list goes on.
++ Martin Luther attempted to reform the church because it had become too inward
focused, and had neglected the poverty-stricken peasants.
++During this course/mission trip, I've seen with my own eyes how many people have
forgotten about New Orelans and the Gulf Coast--therefore, where might
God be calling us?
Hopefully in the coming months, sometime I will vow at my ordination to proclaim the sacraments and the Word. But what happens when people are too (physically) hungry to receive the Bread of LIfe? What about when people who's lives have been drowned by water, are angry at The One who cleanses with eternal water?

The "bottom line" for me is that we (as the ELCA in my case) can have vibrant & faithful worship, and we can clearly proclaim the Risen Lord through bread, wine, body, blood, water & the Word; but unless people see Christ IN US, they will never step foot into the congregations we serve.
"No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the buschel basket, but on the lampstand and it gives light to ghe entire house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven, (Mt. 5:15-16)."

Yes, people can most clearly see (theologically, not always practical) the Gospel through Eucharist & Baptism. But what would it look like if people saw the Good News of God's endless presence & grace rise above these once flooded streets; by way of some canned goods, by way of "mucking teams," or by simple blankets & gently used clothing?

It can be scary to let God work outside our "boxes" of tradition & theology.
It can be scary to see how through death, God defeated Death through Christ; and how God continues to bring new life to a city & communities once underseige by massive flooding and mucky hopelessness.

It is by God's acting that the sacraments become what they are.
Thankfully God continues to act, guiding us to be who we are--sacramental disciples of God's love in Jesus Christ.

Mucking for Jesus,
Adam