The Story of the Ragman

Sunday, April 7, 2024 – the Sunday after Easter

For this day, I decided to repeat something I did in 2023 that I plan to keep as an annual tradition. After all the intensity of Lent, Holy Week, and Easter, rather than writing a sermon based on the readings, I shared an incredible short story written by Lutheran pastor, Walter Wangerin, Jr. from  his book, Ragman and Other Cries of Faith (reissued in 2004).

I wrote Walter Wangerin years ago, probably while he was teaching at Valparaiso University. I know that he answered my letter, though I don’t now remember what he said. Philip Yancey wrote a beautiful benediction to Wangerin at his passing in 2021 after a long journey with cancer.

I can’t remember the first time I heard “Ragman.” But it has never left me. I’ve shared it in other churches, and it never fails to bring tears to my eyes and a catch to my throat.

One day, I’ll record a better version of my telling it. You can see it from the Redeemer Lutheran Church Facebook stream here.

But I’ve found two other videos I’ll share below: a cinematic interpretation of the story from Bethel Temple Community Bible Church in Philadelphia, and a recording of Wangerin reading the story himself.