Pastor's Corner

Dr. Dan Siegel introduced the “word” MWe in his recent book, Brainstorm.

“MWe” denotes personal growth from “only Me” to include “also We.” MWe begins with the point that each of us has an indivisible and deeply personal life. Most simply put, “Me” is all that your skin surrounds.

“We,” on the other hand, is what connects you with God, with others and also with the world in which you live. MWe offers each of us a new way of understanding just what it means to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

Jesus was speaking to the “Me” of each of us when he said, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Consider the birds of the air… Consider the lilies of the field…

Are you not of more value to God than they? Strive first for the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt. 6.25ff)

Jesus could have entered the world as a powerful king, but he chose to enter our world as an even more powerful servant. In his lifetime, Jesus had many reasons to focus on himself and his own needs. His earthly ministry filled him with suffering as he journeyed to the cross that he knew awaited him.

Jesus could do this because his “Me” was also a “We” that included God, as well as all of God’s precious children. His MWe included even his own enemies. When Jesus looked upon the suffering of others, he knew full well that God demanded that he do something to relieve that suffering. When Jesus saw folks turning their backs on God, he knew that God needed him to reach out to them. When Jesus looked out at countless people in a pain-filled need to be cared for, he did all he could to relieve their suffering and pain. After all, that was why God sent him to earth.

First, MWe is about your being a beloved child of God, created in the Divine image and fully capable of living a life worthy of your Maker.

MWe is also about your relationship with God through his son, Jesus.

It’s about your being a part of his body, meaning that you are called to do all you can to honor God while relieving human suffering. Jesus invites us to follow him into a life of service, something that is available to every one of us who would follow him. Each of us can serve in his name as we reach out to others or offer a cup of cold water in his name, or when we do our part in healing our planet, or when we care for the least, the lost and the last of Christ’s brothers and sisters, one relationship and one interaction at a time.

Dr. Albert Schweitzer said it well: “I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”

Bob Ingalls,

Malden Community Congregational Church