Following a raised savior

I've been blessed by meeting many people of faith in my life. And they have taught me that "mere survival is not the vocation of Christians who follow a raised savior", as Kyle Kramer wrote in America.

Kyle writes that even the desert "saguaro, those tall, emblematic, almost anthropomorphic cacti", is not a plant that survives as an individualist, but is one rooted in "community, hospitality and generosity". It starts under the shade of a nurse tree, then harbors birds who perforate it, and gives off fruits and food, adapting to life in the desert.

The article says that Jesus during his 40 days in the desert gave himself over to divine care rather than "grasping for the food, protection, possessions and power with which he was tempted," noting how tempting it is during tough economic times "simply to hunker down amid earthly concern."

How true this is. All we have to do is look around us to see the effects of the economic downturn, yet if we look a bit further, we can see people who continue to volunteer and help others, who ignore their own precarious financial situations and keep giving of their time,energy and resources. They are the people of faith I talk about. I know many are around, but they are often quiet people doing what may seem like small things that keep everything running. They are adapting to the desert times.

And they say things like this, promoting community:

"We'll get through this, but we have to help each other" and "Finding different, less expensive ways to do things has been a gift for our family".

They are generous and often say"I'm not using [fill in the blank], why not pass it along to someone who can?", knowing others have it harder.

They are hospitable, welcoming those in need with as much enthusiasm as those who are well networked.

Their lives are rooted and, because of that, they attract others to their strength and quiet dignified way of life. As I say, I've met many of them and I bet if we spent more time looking around, we'd find more.

People who know life isn't about mere survival, who aren't living in daily fear and temptation by material things do "embody beauty and transcendence ".