For anyone who thinks that making a casserole for last night's Meet the Neighbors meal was just making a casserole. For anyone who thinks that serving up a plate of food was no big deal. For anyone who waited on tables thinking anyone could have done it. For anyone, like me, who sat and chatted with our guests and thought I could be anywhere -- I'm just talking. This story is for you:

There is a documentary about the Hindu celebration of Kumbh Mela,which is a holy pilgrimage from the mouth of the Ganges River to its source in the Himalayas. The legend is that four drops of immortal nectar were dropped when the gods fought with the demons in the sky, and that nectar landed in four places on earth. The pilgrimage is a journey to those places: to bathe in the river waters, to wash away sins, and to seek health and salvation.

Millions attend. Tens of millions. It is an incredible sight. Bearded men dance. Holy men with pierced lips and powdered skin. Elderly women who have traveled for weeks to seek the majesty of God in the snow capped mountains.

It is said to be the largest gathering of humanity on earth and has been called the world's largest single act of faith. Yet for most of us it is totally alien. The documentary refers to Kumbh Mela as 'being part of something big while doing something small.'

Do you think that last line might apply to a ham and macaroni dinner served up in our Fellowship Hall on a Thursday night?

I do.

Blessings -
Pastor Kris

with credit and appreciation to Mitch Albom in have a little faith, for the Kumbh Mela story.