Today's Scripture Readings
Acts 10:44-48 (NRSV)
Psalm 98 (BCP., p.727)
1 John 5:1-6 (NRSV)
John 15:9-17 (NRSV)
Blog Reflection
In all of the Gospel readings we could have, is there one that is more profound and more direct than this one? Jesus is calling those who follow Him to do more than lip service. Jesus is telling us in this Gospel passage to do more than gather councils and proclaim doctrines, creeds and legislate morality. Jesus is telling us that all that He has spoken and done will only do wonders for the world if we love one another as He has loved us.
The love that Jesus calls us to this Sunday, is a love that is ready to give up all of our self interest for the sake of the other. Jesus is calling us to purity of heart. To seek to love God through loving one another to give evidence of who Jesus is and what Jesus did. All the preaching, story telling, labors for social justice and equality for the sake of themselves will lead us to mission accomplished; but for the sake of what? Even that (whatever it is) is limited so long as we do not heed these words of Jesus. "Love one another as I have loved you."
Our problem is that we think that because we walk around and call ourselves Christians, it means we are exceptional human beings. We have no accountability to anyone for what we do, say, think and how we respond to others as if we are the only ones who matter. In these words spoken by Jesus who gave up everything out of love for us all, and taught us how to love our neighbor as ourselves in and through the Paschal Mystery; we have our assignment. As Christians, we need to not only think, but pray in earnest that all of us will regard each other and those who are not Christians with dignity and respect. No amount of racism, sexism, heterosexism, transphobia, Islamophobia, etc. has any place to be protected and encouraged. The love that Jesus commands of us, has no exceptions. It is about helping Jesus to maintain His good Name as the One who came to serve and not be served.
Sr. Joan Chittister, OSB wrote the following,
The spiritual life of the Christian is not attained by spiritual athletics. It is lived into as we embrace one another, care about each other and respond to the Presence of Christ in each other. In our individualistic society that rewards those who continue to threaten our environment with dangerous chemicals with wealth and security, or leaves the poor without the basic necessities of life while those who have double their amount; the message of love one another is only a myth. Jesus commands us in this Gospel, to make the myth into a living reality. It is about our relationship to Jesus and each other. This is a commandment that is worth every effort and spiritual grace to keep on trying to do. The reputation of the Name of Jesus Christ and the Church needs this now, more than ever before.
Help us, Lord Jesus to love one another as you have loved us.
Amen.
Prayers
Acts 10:44-48 (NRSV)
While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. 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, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, "Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.
Psalm 98 (BCP., p.727)
1 John 5:1-6 (NRSV)
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth.
John 15:9-17 (NRSV)
Jesus said to his disciples, "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another."
Blog Reflection
In all of the Gospel readings we could have, is there one that is more profound and more direct than this one? Jesus is calling those who follow Him to do more than lip service. Jesus is telling us in this Gospel passage to do more than gather councils and proclaim doctrines, creeds and legislate morality. Jesus is telling us that all that He has spoken and done will only do wonders for the world if we love one another as He has loved us.
The love that Jesus calls us to this Sunday, is a love that is ready to give up all of our self interest for the sake of the other. Jesus is calling us to purity of heart. To seek to love God through loving one another to give evidence of who Jesus is and what Jesus did. All the preaching, story telling, labors for social justice and equality for the sake of themselves will lead us to mission accomplished; but for the sake of what? Even that (whatever it is) is limited so long as we do not heed these words of Jesus. "Love one another as I have loved you."
Our problem is that we think that because we walk around and call ourselves Christians, it means we are exceptional human beings. We have no accountability to anyone for what we do, say, think and how we respond to others as if we are the only ones who matter. In these words spoken by Jesus who gave up everything out of love for us all, and taught us how to love our neighbor as ourselves in and through the Paschal Mystery; we have our assignment. As Christians, we need to not only think, but pray in earnest that all of us will regard each other and those who are not Christians with dignity and respect. No amount of racism, sexism, heterosexism, transphobia, Islamophobia, etc. has any place to be protected and encouraged. The love that Jesus commands of us, has no exceptions. It is about helping Jesus to maintain His good Name as the One who came to serve and not be served.
Sr. Joan Chittister, OSB wrote the following,
Among the ancients there is a story told that confirms this insight to this day:
"What action shall I perform to attain God?" the disciple asked the elder.
"If you wish to attain God, " the elder said, "there are two things you must know. The first is that all efforts to attain God are of no avail."
"And the second?" the disciple insisted.
"The second is that you must act as if you did not know the first," the elder said.
(The Rule of Benedict: A Spirituality for the 21st Century, p.21-22).
The spiritual life of the Christian is not attained by spiritual athletics. It is lived into as we embrace one another, care about each other and respond to the Presence of Christ in each other. In our individualistic society that rewards those who continue to threaten our environment with dangerous chemicals with wealth and security, or leaves the poor without the basic necessities of life while those who have double their amount; the message of love one another is only a myth. Jesus commands us in this Gospel, to make the myth into a living reality. It is about our relationship to Jesus and each other. This is a commandment that is worth every effort and spiritual grace to keep on trying to do. The reputation of the Name of Jesus Christ and the Church needs this now, more than ever before.
Help us, Lord Jesus to love one another as you have loved us.
Amen.
Prayers
O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good
things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such
love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above
all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we
can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for the Sixth Sunday of Easter. The Book of Common Prayer, p. 225).
Almighty Father, whose blessed Son before his passion prayed
for his disciples that they might be one, as you and he are one:
Grant that your Church, being bound together in love and
obedience to you, may be united in one body by the one Spirit,
that the world may believe in him whom you have sent, your
Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in
the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for the Unity of the Church. The Book of Common Prayer, p. 255).
Almighty God, who created us in your image: Grant us
grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace
with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom,
help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our
communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy
Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for Social Justice. The Book of Common Prayer, p. 260).
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