THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

A few weeks ago, I visited St George’s Tron Church in the centre of Glasgow and was very moved by the painting, Our Last Supper, which depicts 13 people sitting around a table.

The artist has selected as models some of the guests of Glasgow City Mission and they represent those who are on the margins facing some of life’s most difficult challenges.

The artist purposefully hasn’t depicted one as specifically showing Jesus.

This speaks to the truth that is found in the words of Jesus, that inspired me most in my faith, where Jesus implores us to feed the hungry, visit the prisoner, clothe the naked and give the thirsty a drink saying that ‘Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me – you did it to me.’ (Matthew 25: 40,

Message)

Over the last 12 difficult months I have been overwhelmed with the way that the community of Oban and the surrounding area have sought to do just that.

At Hope Kitchen the 400 Christmas hampers, the 550 lunches and 200 dinners a month we are able to provide, as well as the plethora of different activities from the beach cleans to the recovery groups, Green Shoots gardening groups and crafting cafes, they all speak of the generosity of so many in our community. However, my overwhelming feeling in the lead up to Christmas is one of gratitude to the people that I am privileged to meet on a daily basis at Hope.

Jesus, I think, knew when he challenged us to live our lives with those on the margins that it would be us that would be the most blessed. As it is those who have the least who are the most open-handed, inclusive and willing to help each other.

If anyone wants to learn how to become more generous just spend a lunch time at Hope and you will see love in action in its purest form.

Catriona Petit, Hope Kitchen