I’ve seen folks do some pretty silly things, even things that are downright inconsiderate.  To be truthful, I’m guilty of doing silly and inconsiderate things.  Just ask my wife.  But when I rounded the corner in our church parking lot to witness some guy putting oil in his car under the canopy to the entrance of our church, I couldn’t help but utter, “Now I’ve seen everything!”

It was Saturday morning.  It was raining cats and dogs (my rain gauge at home registered 2 1/4 inches) and we were on our way to our kids' final swimming lesson.  I had to swing by the church to pick up my camera so that we could take pictures.

As we drove around St. Joe’s, I noticed that the hall doors were wide open while the folks from the wedding the night before were cleaning up.  I was impressed.  I then noticed five or so cars still parked in the lot.  No doubt these chariots awaited their trusty ‘sober’ drivers to return later that day to take them home.  Again, I was impressed.

Then there was the car pulled right up under our canopy with the back hatch open.  I assumed the driver was another member of the wedding party from the night before and that he was simply taking items out our front door to put into his car.  Then, as I pulled up beside him, I notice that his hood was also up and he was bent over his engine draining a four litre jug of Castrol oil into the open maw of his engine.

“Now I’ve seen everything!”

I got out of my car and stated, “I sure hope that won’t leave an oil stain on our concrete!” To which our mechanic replied, “It’s raining!” as if that explained everything.  After he drove off, I discovered several fresh oil spots on our beautiful concrete. 

I was infuriated at the insensitivity of this person.  The implication in his appeal of, “It’s raining” suggested to me, “C’mon man, have a heart.  I need to put oil in my car and it’s raining.  The least you can do is to give me shelter.”  This only added insult to injury.

As a church, are we here for the back-yard mechanics to find shelter in inclement weather? 

I juxtapose this experience with one I had here several weeks ago.  It was also raining cats and dogs that day.  A stay-at-home mother had taken her little ones to the Forestry Farm to have a picnic.  Upon the realization that the weather was about to turn sour she headed for home only to be caught in a downpour a short distance from the church.  She sought shelter in our Gathering Space.  The four of them sat down in our leather furniture in front of our fireplace and proceeded to have their picnic. 

I stopped by this indoor pastoral scene and introduced myself.  It turned out that they are parishioners of ours and after a 15 minute conversation I learned quite a few things about this lovely family. 

What impressed me most is that the mother felt no need to ask if they could settle in for a picnic.  After all, this place is her home away from home.   As a parish community, we are part of her family.  After all, our mission statement reads, “We Are Holy Family.”

So while we may not be here to provide shelter for the back-yard mechanics (if our friend simply drove five minutes in either direction down Attridge Drive he would have found three gas stations with canopies, not to mention that if he was afraid of melting in the rain then an attendant would have put the oil in the car for him) we are here for anyone seeking shelter from the squalls of life – be they spiritual, emotional or physical.

Just as the Inn Keeper provided a humble shelter for our Holy Family 2000 years ago, we are called today to provide that same humble shelter for anyone who asks.

But please, if you must put oil into your car, tractor, chainsaw or lawnmower…do it elsewhere…or at the very least, put down a tarp.