August used to be the month for my vacation. Not long ago in a chapel sermon, I mentioned that most of my vacations have been through the generosity of others. When I was a parish pastor, a family in the church invited me to use their condo at the beach in August. I didn’t discover until years later that August was too hot for them at the beach. My family and I loved it.

One of my sons is married and has two young children. A few weeks ago, they packed up his old car and headed to the beach. Soon after beginning the trip, he discovered that his air-conditioning was not working. When he stopped in Montgomery, he hoped that a coolant recharge would solve the problem, but it didn’t. He needed the compressor replaced. Long before the vacation trip, my son and I had been talking about replacing his car. When he arrived at the beach, with no air-conditioning, he decided it was time. He and his wife made a trip to a nearby car dealership and spent the day shopping. They bought a car and enjoyed the drive home much more than the hot drive to the beach.

Like many of you, I remember before all cars were air-conditioned. Particularly in this part of the world, long summer-time trips were exhausting.

My son’s recent experience reminded me of a time I took a trip from Birmingham to Mobile to attend a cousin’s wedding. In 1972, I was driving the last car I owned that was not air-conditioned. It was a 1967, 1600cc, four-speed manual transmission BMW, with no radio and no AC. On the drive south, I had engine trouble. I didn’t know much about car engines, but I could tell that the engine was overheating. I limped into a “service” station and was told that my water pump was bad. Of course, there was no BMW dealer in Alabama at that time. I found an old plastic gallon jug, filled it with water, and continued my trip. I didn’t drive over 40 mph. As you can imagine, I was late for the wedding. The four-hour trip took about ten hours.

The most memorable part of that painful ordeal was the hospitality of strangers. Every time I stopped on the side of the highway to let the engine cool off and add more water, another traveler or two pulled over to render assistance. They all inquired about my trouble. Many offered water from their emergency supply they always carried in their trunks. Many also had suggestions for repairs.

When I finally made it to the hotel parking lot, steam billowing from under the hood of my car, I was welcomed by my extended family. They had saved dinner for me. I was told not to think about the car anymore that night. “We will take care of it tomorrow,” they said. My uncle, the father of the groom, introduced me to his mechanic. I spent a couple of days at the beach with my aunt and uncle while waiting for my car to be repaired. The water pump was shipped in by bus.

I am reminded of Matthew 25:35-40: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

I know there is a lot of conflict in the world, but my experience is that most people want to show hospitality. Maybe people really are basically good and want to do good. Most of us want to welcome the stranger.

Peace.

Cary

For Reflection:

In your daily life, how can you practice justice and mercy? For example, how can we help those who are hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, imprisoned, or homeless?

When have you been hungry, thirsty, a stranger, sick, and someone reached out to you?

Where have you found yourself serving most naturally?

• In which areas do you have the most trouble reaching out?