God With Skin On - I’m helping a friend with a funeral for her husband who died suddenly of a heart attack. I am helping to record all of the speakers ahead of time for an online memorial.

Today, one of the speakers I recorded was talking about how people have stepped up to support my friend. From the speaker’s Christian religious perspective they said people are being like Jesus and their statement really jumped out at me. The people who are helping are moving past the statement that mourners so often hear, “I’m sorry for your loss. Let me know if there’s anything I can do for you,” and they are doing what they can to help, often without being asked. This, as some people say, is being God with skin on. This is God and prayer in action.

Isn’t it amazing how people step up in situations like this? It’s almost inevitable that communities come together to help one another when tragedy strikes. I remember watching the news and hearing about people in Houston who helped one another after Hurricane Harvey in 2017. One of the people interviewed said it was amazing how color barriers and socio-economic barriers disappeared and there were just people helping people. I love hearing this. I’m sad about all the human suffering, but people helping one another gives me hope for humanity.

I have been toying with the theological idea that everything - human beings included - is the manifestation of God, or whatever word you use for God. Practically then, we are never more godly than when we act godly i.e. help when a friend is in a time of mourning, or a stranger's house has been destroyed by flooding from a hurricane.

(Rod) When someone is in need, may you do justice and show mercy.