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Robert was a pathetic sight...

Illustration
Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A
Romans 5:1-8
Robert was a pathetic sight the first time I saw him. Unshaven and hair uncombed, he was leaning on his crutches, a cast halfway up his right leg. I would not have wanted to bet on the last time he had bathed. But there he was. I was the new pastor of First Church. At First Church you made your way to the pastor's study through a lovely memorial garden. It was the pride of the church women, and they came almost daily to tend the garden. They were there today. And so was Robert, the homeless tramp. It was crunch time for the new pastor as he arrived on that scene.
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