• ".....We, we in this congregation, are called to do what comes naturally (!) for one who has considered the costs and believes, one who has in her back pocket the promies of God as recounted in our Psalm today?.And what comes naturally is moving ahead.(!) The community of LeChambon, France did this. During WWII this protestant peasant French Hugenouts hid, housed, fed, educated and welcomed hundreds of Jews. They set their face firmly toward Jerusalem- with all it's suffering, glory, uncertainly and promise. I believe their story helps illuminate Jesus' greatest hopes and expectations for his disciples.(!) A Jewish man who was a baby when his family was embraced by the people of LeChambon created a documentary film about its story. (We should have a movie time at BPC to watch it). Put a picture of these people in your head. All in their 70s and 80s at the time of filming, there are neatly dressed in well worn vests and simple aprons, walking sticks in hand, rosy faced, vibrant. The filmmaker remarks that hugging one of them is like hugging a tree-these are solid people. Again and again, when asked why they risked their lives for their Jewish brothers and sisters, the peasant farmers respond matter-of-factly with comments like: "Sure, We gave up our bed when there was no choice." "It happened so naturally, we can't understand all the fuss." "The bible says feed the hungry and visit sick. It was the normal thing to do." In an interview with Bill Moyers about LeChambon, the filmmaker remarks, and I am paraphrasing, "These days we seem to think that good people are those who agonize. They " sleep on it"?and maybe in the morning their conscience gets them to do the right thing. No- this idea is wrong. People who agonize don't act. And people who act don't agonize." Their path to discipleship also affirms our Psalm text. Descended from a persecuted people themselves, the French Hugenouts, theirs was a community who took great pains to remember the past. As good Calvinists, they had a very high view of the OT and looked to the prophets to nurture their faith and conduct. Their most oft sung hymn says, "May the spirit that gave [our] ancestors life inspire [our] children to follow their example." They credit their natural giving now with the simple fact that they remember their own story. "There's was not a sentimental faith. Not extraordinary. It was a solid faith that was put to the test and not found wanting." (Anonymous contribution)