A Cup of Water

They went on from there and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.” But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.
Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”
John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.” Mark 9:30-41 

A Cup of Water

The humble and simple act of offering
good drinking water to wayfarers
may be overlooked by so many
the angels you care for will remember.

The hospitality of sharing a cookie
making room on the bench for another
widening the circle so all can see
that is the greatest work we can do.

God is love and love always makes room
makes another bed and sets another place
makes a lap for a crying young child
make conversation with a lonely elder.

Love surrounds us with the abundance
we simply share what we have been given
we leave off from claiming gifts as ours alone
knowing love made each gift possible.

May we step aside for the other
welcome folks as they come sown the road
set aside extras places and seats at the table
and the beloved incarnate God will be there.