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I love my work. In how many other jobs can you listen to the Statler Brothers and call it research. But that’s exactly what I’ve been doing in recent days.

The Statlers were rooted in gospel singing, but they did not limit themselves to this one style. Common, daily life inspired many of their non-gospel lyrics. They sang about the nitty-gritty of life with no sugarcoating. If fact, my favorite Statler songs are not gospel at all. Two of my favorites are “Bed of Roses” and “Class of 57.” We don’t sing these songs in church, but maybe we should.

“Bed of Roses” tells the story of an eighteen-year-old man who was “adopted” by a woman. He said she was “called a scarlet woman by the people who would go to Church but who left me in the street.” Seeing the indictment of the church in the lyrics takes only minimal effort.

The universal longing of people for significance, to make a difference in the world is the subject of “Class of 57.” “And the class of ’57 had its dreams, / Oh, we all thought we’d change the world with our great words and deeds. / Or maybe we just thought the world would change to fit our needs, / The class of ’57 had its dreams. /// And the class of ’57 had its dreams, / But living life from day to day is never like it seems. / Things get complicated when you get past eighteen, / But the class of ’57 had its dreams. / Oh, the class of ’57 had its dreams.

Most of us live ordinary lives. Our struggles have diverted our attention from the dreams of youth. And yet the yearning to make a difference persists. And here’s one value of the church: we are a part of something bigger than ourselves, something that makes an enduring difference. The law of Moses, the oracles of the prophets, and the teaching of Jesus both invite and challenge God’s people to seek justice for those on the margins of life.

Sheldon, Leonard, Howard, and Rajesh are self-proclaimed nerds on the CBS sitcom, The Big Bang Theory. (For all fans, the show has been renewed for three more years.) The four colleagues all work at Cal Tech, spend hours together playing video games, reading comic books, and watching science fiction movies. They are colleagues, best friends and roommates, although in all capacities their relationship is always tested primarily by Sheldon’s regimented and non-conventional ways [From IMDB].

Living in an apartment across the hall from Sheldon and Leonard is Penny, an attractive blond woman and an aspiring actress whose “street smarts” and common sense contrast with the four geeks. Leonard has always been attracted to Penny, they have dated, and have broken up. Both still have strong feelings for the other.

Recent episodes have explored friendship. When Penny is sad because Leonard has a new girlfriend, Amy, a friend of hers asks if she is feeling better.  When she says, “not really,” Amy says to Sheldon, “You have a guest who is upset.” Sheldon replies: “Right, I’ll make tea.” To Penny’s response, “No, sweetie, it’s ok. I don’t want tea,” Sheldon retorts: “It’s not optional.” The episode ends as Penny smiles, accepting Sheldon’s socially-awkward comfort.

Caring for others and receiving care from others may be awkward. But how much it is like Jesus who taught his disciples that to care for the hurting was to care for Jesus. How like the good Samaritan who reached across ethnic lines to bind up the wounds of the beaten traveler. How like Jesus, who received the ministry of the homeless and promiscuous woman who anointed his feet. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (Matthew 5:7).