The circumcised believers who had come
with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out,
even on the Gentiles...Then Peter said, "Can anyone withhold the water for
baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we
have?" [Acts
10:45, 46b-47]
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has
done marvelous things...He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to the house of
Israel, and all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God...
In righteousness shall he judge the world, and the peoples with equity. [Ps 98:1, 4, 10]
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been
born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child…For the love of
God is this, that we obey his commandments…for whatever is born of God conquers
the world. And this is the victory…our faith. Who is it that conquers the world
but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? [1 John 5:1, 3a, 4-5]
Jesus said to his disciples, "As the Father has
loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love...This is my commandment, that
you love one another as I have loved you...And I appointed you to go and bear
fruit, fruit that will last... [John 15:9, 12, 16b]
SIX YEARS AGO, that is, in 2015, I wrote the
following:
How intrusive is this [Gospel]
message against the backdrop of mistrust, hatred of "the
other," and the seemingly endless and rampant violence across the world
and in our local communities? Them vs Us, You vs Me, This is Mine, is
as ancient as Caine and Abel and never tires of repeating. As the reading from
Acts tells us, the circumcised believers...were astounded that the Holy
Spirit was given even to the Gentiles. Peter was clear that the water of
baptism cannot be withheld from those who are different because they have
received the Holy Spirit just as we have... And Jesus was even more clear: This
is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. I see no room
for negotiation here. Yet we continue with judgment that is meant only to
be God’s when the prevailing thought is those people are doing
terrible things so how can Jesus possibly expect us to love them?
Well, what we think he expects is irrelevant, he commands it.
IF we believe in Jesus, then we must bear the fruit of God's love to all
people, in all places, and everyone is included.
Today I find it more than disheartening to realize that
things, six years later, are now exponentially worse on so many levels
especially in issues of race, religion, and politics ~ talk about lions and
tigers and bears, oh my! ~ not to mention dragons and snakes and skunks. Yet
there are some seeds of hope grounded in love, amidst the anger, frustration,
and despair, that are rising up, beginning to flower, and showing great
potential to bear sweet and sustaining fruit for sharing. I have to stop often
to remember that Jesus didn't require us to "like" anyone, only love them.
We are to seek not only Jesus but ourselves in another. "Oh, really,"
you say, "nothing of Jesus or me is found in THAT person." Look
harder and listen more closely. What you and I think and feel ~ and say? ~
about those we label as them may very well be what they think
and feel and say about us. We are likely to uncomfortably discover that we
are not so very different from them after all. Maybe, if we go beyond
the “Golden Rule” to employ the “Platinum Rule” those others might be slightly
easier to love. What is the platinum rule? “Do unto others as they
would have you do unto them.” If I only do what I
want done for me how is that helpful to another? For example, if I invite you
to dinner and fill the table with all my favorite foods without asking if you
have preferences or allergies or serious dislikes, who is more comfortable? Is
not Love for another to go beyond our own desires?
That said, the stark truth must be acknowledged:
Our loving of them does not require ~ nor will it regularly result in ~
reciprocation. The dangers, fears, and tensions of the world will not suddenly
evaporate because we are more intentionally loving people. Yes, there is
evil intent in this world that no amount of love or understanding will resolve.
But judgment belongs to God. As the psalmist says: In righteousness shall he
judge the world and the peoples with equity. [Ps 98:10]
As we listen, hear, and remember the Gospel
message together, we can work as a team to learn and practice how to love,
through the experience of intentional relationship. After all, even in
a loving family, not everyone is happy with everyone all the time, but we work
through it because of the connections we want to maintain. And sometimes we
have to let go of the things we don’t like about another in order to sustain
the relationship.
Of course, we are not
called to pursue “relationships” with everyone, especially with those who
intend harm. We are, however, to reconcile our first thoughts and actions through
the lens of Christ’s love. It’s hard and often unrewarding work in this
life. Yet, we are promised much more than a rose garden for following Christ’s
commandment. This life is short though it can feel endless when we encounter
very demanding, difficult, and desperate days ~ and people. Feeling supported
in the trials of faith by the presence of Christ and the Holy Spirit, and in
community, we can come to believe that working to act in, through, and by love,
first, last, and always ~ as best we can in this mortal time ~ will get us to the
always, forever, eternal reward.
LET US,
GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~
Christ Jesus, Born of God, as You chose us to be
bearers of the fruit of Your eternal love, lift us from the shadows of doubt
and awaken our souls to follow Your Commandments to love one another and to
fully abide in You.
God of Mercy and Faithfulness
RESPONSE: Guide us to offer Love
first, last, and always
~ Christ Jesus, Born of God, grant us such
consciousness of our gifts from the Spirit, that we hold ourselves and those
who govern throughout this Planet, this Country, and this Community,
accountable; acting always to uphold Your standards of righteousness and equity,
on behalf of all people everywhere. We
pray especially for: add your own petitions
God
of Mercy and Faithfulness
Guide
us to offer Love first, last, and always
~ Christ Jesus, Born of God, lovingly embrace with
healing all those who are ill in body, mind, or soul, and all who give them
love and care. We now join our hearts together to pray for those in
need… add your own petitions
God
of Mercy and Faithfulness
Guide
us to offer Love first, last, and always
~ Christ Jesus, Born of God, with trumpets and the sound of
the horn You shout with joy, as those who have risen above this earthly plain
are welcomed to the everlasting peace of new life in You. We pray
especially for… add your own petitions
God
of Mercy and Faithfulness
Guide us to offer Love first,
last, and always
~ Christ Jesus, Born of God, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt
thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials… add your own petitions
God
of Mercy and Faithfulness
Guide
us to offer Love first, last, and always
~ Christ Jesus, Born of God, we offer special thanksgivings
for those among us who are anointed to teach and lead us in Your Word and
Ways. Grant them continual renewal of purpose and endless replenishment of
vigor. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
God
of Mercy and Faithfulness
Guide
us to offer Love first, last, and always
The
Celebrant adds: Almighty and Ever-Loving God,
infuse us with the inner peace and fortitude to let the actions of our
lives be the instruments of rejoicing that play a new song of faith and love,
each and every day. We ask through Jesus, our Loving Redeemer; and the Holy
Spirit, Your Truth; who together with You, are One God, now and forever. Amen.
