A pizza and God’s grace in the takeout window

There is so much power in a greeting. Years ago, we had to greet everyone with a kiss. Sometimes it was really gross. Nataniƫl has this story about the aunt with the mole you had to dodge, or the other one with her lips so flabby it left you wondering if she forgot her false teeth that morning. At least today we like hugs more.

And men too! At first this was quite fun, but as I got used to it, I realized that a hug conveys much more than a firm handshake. In a way, it conveys affection, warmth, respect, friendship and much more.

We were going out for the night and my son was excited to order a take-out pizza through Uber, which for him offers something from his mother’s cuisine.

In no time the bell rang. After a while, my son came back with the pizza with a missing piece. I commented to him with surprise that he must have been very hungry to have already eaten a piece on the way from the front door to the kitchen.

He replied, “No, I gave it to the guy who delivered the pizza.” But why, I asked him. My son said, “When the man who delivered the pizza handed it to me, he touched his right elbow with his left hand. You know, Dad, that’s the way they convey respect. So I gave the appropriate response on my part and shared a slice of pizza with him. “

Wow! Here something happened that is more than a greeting. Two people who don’t know each other at all walk away changed. Walk away with a smile in your heart and a slightly fuller belly. This is how it should be. When we end up in each other’s space, even for a fleeting moment, we should move away changed, better, kinder, more.

Perhaps Paul understood something of the greeting, because he always said something nice about the readers at the end of his letters. Here, at the end of Titus, it is no different: 15 … Thank you all. Or as The Living Bible says: 15 … May the blessings of God be with you all.

And don’t we all need such an amount of blessings, grace, and goodness? In a way, that’s exactly what my son did. The delivery man experienced some of God’s goodness – through a slice of pizza on his stomach.

Somewhere in my head I put a reminder to greet people differently from now on. There are so many hungry people out there, people who yearn for just a small portion of grace, a portion of goodness. God’s pantry is full of it and he’s looking for a takeout window to share it with.

Let’s make our front doors and windows like this and be the channel through which God’s grace and goodness can flow to others. Let’s greet people and bless them with God’s grace. Every day, all the time.

That is why I now open my window, here on your screen, and I greet you: May the grace of God flow over you and may the grace of God be more than enough for you. May you fill up because God goes with you everywhere.

Holy Scripture

Titus 3: 12-15

Reflection

Who can you bless?

Who should you bless?

When you go to do?

Pray

Father, thank you for all your grace. It is more than enough for me. Amen.

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