3/9/26
In Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, chapter 12, the apostle discusses the importance of those who would seem to be lacking in honor. As a shorthand we'll often refer to the passage as speaking of "weaker members." The irony, however, is that those "weaker members" are often incredibly strong.
In 2014, when Wittenberg Door Campus Ministry was being founded, one of the people we ran into was Harry Besleme. Since he was a Lutheran and was involved in the Mizzou community, I managed to have lunch with him one day. I was telling him about how our work on campus is not only with students, but with faculty, staff, and administrators. We work with people of every national background, every level of learning, every pay grade. Harry was listening carefully, and interjected, "and every kind of personality." Yes, absolutely!
For almost twelve years, Harry was one of our most involved participants. His personality often sank into the background. His care about others didn't. He was at the heart of many of our decisions to involve those Paul talked about in 1 Corinthians 12. We have self-consciously created an atmosphere in which people with children can thrive. We have self-consciously acted in ways that would be inclusive of people with mental or physical challenges that make it difficult to participate in today's academic world. We have purposely welcomed those the Bible would call the least of God's children. Harry kept that goal on the front burner of all our planning. Those "weaker members" are important enough for God's salvation, they better be important enough for us to care about them.
Last week, Harry called in sick at work one day. That in itself was not like him. He was always at work. The next day, he didn't call in, and he missed several appointments. Again, this was not like him. Sadly, he was found dead at his home. Harry, who was a joyous partaker of forgiveness, life, and salvation through Christ as experienced in the Lutheran tradition, was taken to his eternal home sometime on March 4th or 5th of 2026. As I write this, we don't have a cause of death. We're still working on a confirmed date and time for a funeral.
Our hearts go out to the many people whose lives he touched. He leaves behind family members, as well as friends and co-workers who considered him part of the family. Our lives will not be the same.
As the apostle Paul taught us in 1 Corinthians 12, we continue to strive to love one another, particularly those who appear weaker, those who are not as readily honored by our culture as some, those who Jesus would call the least in the kingdom of heaven, and therefore people worthy of honor and esteem.
We'll pass on funeral information as it becomes available.
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