To love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind is to reflect God's mercy in responding to one's neighbor. That mercy found its most profound expression in the "gospel that has come to you" - namely the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That gospel mercy comes to us again today: at the font, at the altar, and from the pulpit. It is very near to you.
In today's gospel, Jesus tells us one of the most memorable parables in time, The Parable of the Good Samaritan. You know, lately, I've been feeling anything but how a good samaritan feels. I've been all over the place at work, and don't even begin to question me about the pile of dishes in the sink (which have been taken care of). The point being, how does someone that has a very fast-paced lifestyle, actually seek out those times to be a "Good Samaritan"? The answer - make time.
Christ offers us multiple opportunities to see what we are doing wrong, and then gives us a chance to change our ways, and conform to what He preaches. Even offering us rewards, "Then the LORD your God will make you most prosperous," and for what, "if you obey the LORD your God and keep his commands and decrees that are written in this Book of the Law and turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul." This to me sounds like a great deal, and if I could get a two-for-one, you bet your ass I'll be the first in line.
But - as life continues on, we all recognize that following Christ isn't as easy as it was thousands of years ago. Hell, it isn't as easy as fifty years ago. Remember a time when cell phones didn't exist? Remember when there were no smartphones, and twitter, or computers? Remember when life was - I don't know - simple? Remember when we used to give praise to the Lord and "rest on the seventh day"? These are things that just aren't possible in today's world. . . or at least not possible without an effort, and that's the problem in and of itself - making the time.
My wonderful praise team is performing a song today that really pulls this message together. The song: Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies), by: Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, and Scott Cash. This song is such a perfect message for those looking to have their prayers answered. "You hear me when I call. You are my morning song. Though darkness fills the night, it cannot hide the light. Whom shall I fear?" What a great message - even though this world surrounds me with hate, violence, and discrimination against peoples that aren't like me, nothing can cover the Glory of God! Sure, sometime's His message gets misconstrued, however, we really need to start looking past what scares us - racism, homosexuality, etc. Everyone is a member in Christ, and we need to recognize that, because if we don't, we aren't "loving thy neighbor as thyself."
Let us pray: O Lord God, your mercy delights us, and the world longs for your loving care. Hear the cries of everyone in need, and turn out hearts to love our neighbors with the love of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Sunday, June 7, 2013. Time after Pentecost - Lectionary 14
God is the source of our nourishment. Our Lord's invitation to "take and eat...take and drink" is a repeated one. In the holy Eucharist, in the word read and proclaimed, in the assembly of the people of God, the dominion of God has come near. Rejoice! Your name is written in heaven.
I have been involved in the healthcare field for over 4 years now. Having studied nursing, and graduating with a degree in Healthcare Services Administration, you would think I should know something about nutrition and nourishment. Well. . . I do, and I can say with absolute certainty, that there is nothing in my textbooks about God being the source of our nourishment. However, I also don't believe that textbooks are really referring to the fiber of our being: our soul.
In today's Gospel, Jesus commissions harvesters and laborers to go where he would go and do what he would do. Risking hardship and danger in exchange for the experience of great joy, they offer peace and healing as signs that the rein of God is near. While we don't always know where Jesus is going, or what his mission is for us, we, as a people of Faith, need to place our trust in Him. Jesus sends us as participants in God's mission in the world and gives us a core message: "The kingdom of God has come near" (Luke 10:9, 11).
I like this statement, but I find it hard to believe that Jesus just assigns us a place in God's mission in the world. I think if anything, we are all welcome to be a part of this mission, but we need to be the ones open to it. We need to be the ones coming close to God, not the other way around. Now, we share the message by welcoming others, sharing bread with the hungry, and offering compassion to the afflicted, but how many of us are conflicted ourselves?
The promise that God is near in Christ compels us to live faithfully and compassionately, wherever our journeys take us. I would like to share with you a quote that my partner's mother shared with me this past week over the Independence Day holiday. She picked up a beautiful picture in Lancaster, PA, and it has really allowed me to put this week, and this week's message, in perspective:
Living Life
"Life is not a race - but indeed a journey. Be honest. Work hard. Be choosy. Say "thank you", "I love you", and "great job" to someone each day. Go to church. take time for prayer. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh. Let your handshake mean more than pen and paper. Love your life and what you've been given, it is not accidental - search for your purpose and do it as best you can. Dreaming does matter. It allows you to become that which you aspire to be. Laugh often. Appreciate the little things in life and enjoy them. Some of the best things really are free. Do not worry, less wrinkles are more becoming. Forgive, it frees the soul. Take time for yourself - plan for longevity. Recognize the special people you've been blessed to know.
Live for today, enjoy the moment."
- Bonnie I. Mojr
Leaving you with that beautiful message, all I can say is that we need to be willing to meet God half way. If we are able to do that, have trust in the Lord, and He will come to us. He is just looking for a way into our hearts, and giving Him any opportunity to do so will allow us to join in God's mission in Christ.
Let us pray: O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, you are the city that shelters us, the mother who comforts us. With your Spirit accompany us on our life's journey, that we may spread your peace in all the world, through your Son, Jesus Christ, Our Savior and Lord.
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