Good morning, Y’all. It’s been week out of sorts for me in this journey of moving across the pond and I didn’t make the time to prepare anything for today. I did just want to pop in with something, though.
I was sitting with a lovely group of folks last evening, sharing food and wine and having conversations about our lives and the faith we have in God. It’s a safe group and an intentional time where we ask and answer thoughtful questions. This group started by one of the participants saying “I feel nudged to start such a group, with you help me?” People responded and have participated for a couple of years now. It began with one person hearing the voice of our Shepherd and sharing that so the rest of us could hear and respond, too. This is how the body of Christ grows and is continuously transformed.
The collect (collected prayer) for today, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, asks that we all may hear the voice of our Shepherd call our name and follow and this is very much the theme for the Gospel lesson today. The lesson from the book of Acts of the the Apostles also builds on this and is one of my grounding verses:
Those who have been baptized devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking o the bread and the prayers. Acts 2:42
Our lifelong journey of following Jesus our Shepherd isn’t something that’s just preached about on Sundays. It is a lived faith as we follow the One who calls us by name, who welcomes the stranger, who is oriented toward the marginalized not the power centers, who teaches us how to live love. Any other message from anyone else is a false shepherd, the thief who comes to “steal and kill and destroy,” as John says. We have to regularly ask ourselves to what or whom have I devoted my life? Who am I listening to?
So, for today, for always, regardless of the levels of vitriol around us, may we pray that we hear the Shepherd’s voice and follow Jesus into the true abundant life of God’s Kingdom-on-earth-as-in-heaven. Jesus talks so much about seeing and hearing, of training our eyes and ears to see and hear God’s truth in the midst of the noise around us so that we aren’t led astray. Former Presiding Bishop Michael Curry said so often, “If it’s not about Love, it’s not about God.” Let God’s Love for you free you from the anger and fear and shame of our culture. If you need a reminder than you are God’s Beloved, let me know and I’ll remind you. Remember that every person bears the image of God, even if it’s buried deep in the muck of hatred.
Our country is on a very dangerous trajectory of hate and we have to remember that Love is more powerful and live accordingly, even when it is hard. Silence doesn’t bring love. Love is active and has a voice. Jesus only leads us in the Way of Love, which includes calling out those who are causing harm and holding them accountable, working toward justice not revenge or retaliation. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, God shows us what it looks like to Love God with our whole self, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Oh, and yes, Jesus also tacked on loving our enemy.
I invite you all to either start or find a group like the one I spoke of above if you don’t participate in one already. Perhaps it’s a small group in your faith community. Perhaps it is with your literal neighbors. Perhaps it’s a collection of folks from various places in your life. Don’t make it complicated. The only guidance I offer is to be willing to talk about the deep stuff – faith, emotions, beliefs, values, family, politics – without judging each other but with the genuine curiosity that leads to growth and understanding. It’s amazing how Jesus shows up when we gather around food and beverages with an openness of heart that shapes our eyes to see and ears to hear Love. And you are never too old to start!
May we hear the Life-giving, Liberating, Loving God call our name. And may we respond in Love.
Keep lovin’ louder than the hate, Y’all.
Mother Nancy's Coffee Thoughts 