A reflection on the readings for the sixth Sunday of Easter.
The lectionary readings are here.
Good morning, this is going to be just a short piece. As I sat with our readings for today over this past week, I have struggled with words of my own that could possibly add any weight at all to the very plain words of Jesus: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” When asked what is the greatest command Jesus said to love God with our whole being, to love our neighbors as ourselves, and then in all of his teachings Jesus added our enemies to this command to love. Love.
I watch as the current presidential administration in this country takes the name of God and Jesus and distorts them into control and hate and bigotry and I am so perplexed that so many who say they follow Jesus support this. And I’m speechless. To cancel the programs that provide medical care, food, and housing for our fellow human beings and then turn around and start a war that kills children and civilians and soldiers and destroys lives and homes and towns, is beyond my comprehension. To support a leader who puts up – literally – golden statues of himself when the prices in this country are such that most people are having to rework their budgets to afford gas, utilities, and groceries, well, unfathomable to me. I want to react in anger but when I sit with that anger and really examine it what I really am is heartbroken for those who are suffering because of a man who wants to be worshipped.
And so I pray, I pray in earnest for this country and those who are in leadership positions. I pray for those who are so afraid of losing the identity they have crafted for themselves as followers of this man. I pray for those who are suffering because of this administration here in our country and worldwide.
And I trust in Jesus’ words, that Love is the most powerful way to respond to the anger and fear that breed hate and bigotry.
And I do what I can by writing my members of congress and I write here and I keep myself informed from various credible sources so that I am only sharing what is real in a way that doesn’t dehumanize those I am speaking against.
As I am out and about doing the activities of my days, I offer smiles and kindness and conversation. I was with a group of dear friends this week at a restaurant and as we were sharing life together around a table, people from other tables came to us to say what a joy it was for them to see a group of people enjoying each other so much. Love is so powerful.
Jesus’ words are quite plain – the way we show our love for God, and God’s love for us, is to love others well.
And Jesus’ words are very challenging to live out. To love well isn’t about making everyone happy or comfortable or absorbing the harm of others. To love well is to hold ourselves and others accountable for the standards of Love Jesus shows us in flesh and blood, to do so with compassion and a balance of mercy and grace in such a way that continuously works towards the justice of God’s Kingdom-on-earth-as-in-heaven. The economy of God’s Kingdom is an economy of relationship, of building each other up, of sharing life together so that we all thrive.
Keep lovin’ louder than the hate, Y’all!
Mother Nancy's Coffee Thoughts 