pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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An Obligation to Love

Reading: Romans 13:8-10

Romans 13:10 – “Love doesn’t do anything wrong to a neighbor.”

Photo credit: Shane

Our reading in Romans 13 begins with a great line: “Don’t be in debt to anyone, except for the obligation to love.” Paul has been writing about obeying civil law, respecting government authority, and paying your taxes. He segues into a much more important obligation in verse 8 – our obligation to love one another. Obligation is a good word choice. It feels stronger than “call to love” or “invitation to love.” Tapping into their Hebrew roots, Paul adds that loving each other fulfills the Law of Moses. Paul is also channeling his inner Jesus here. Echoing the main point of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 19, Mark 10, and Luke 18, Paul elevates loving God through loving neighbor as our highest obligation.

In these three passages, Jesus taught the rich young ruler how we are to love God and therefore neighbor. We are to lessen our grip on the things of this world, becoming willing to give freely to others to meet their needs. We can meet needs in many different ways. We can bring a meal or some groceries to an actual neighbor during a hard time. We can spend some time with or give a ride to an elderly person in our community. We can support a child in a far away land or we can give to rescue and relief efforts following a natural disaster. We can teach a Sunday school class or volunteer at a local rescue mission or food bank. These are but a few of the many ways that we can love God and our neighbors.

In verse 10 we read, “Love doesn’t do anything wrong to a neighbor.” On one level Paul is looping back to not committing adultery or murder or… But on another level, this is also about our sins of omission – in this case, those times when we could have met a need and chose not to. When we fail to do good, we are doing harm. May it not be so.

Prayer: Lord God, give us eyes willing to see those with needs – both near and far. Once seeing, open our hands to release what we have. Open our hearts to yield freely what you have blessed us with. And when we are tempted to ignore the obligation to love, may your Holy Spirit shout a little louder and/or nudge us a little harder. Work within our hearts, O God, leading us to love you as we love our neighbors. Amen.


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Grounded in Love

Reading: Matthew 17:7-13

Matthew 17:9 – “Don’t tell anybody about the vision until the Human One is raised from the dead.”

Reading the second half of this week’s gospel lesson, Jesus puts God’s admonition about listening to work. Jesus first tells the disciples to “Get up.” These first words are practical. To go back down the mountain, to return to the world, they must get up. Often the first things we need to listen to are the simple things: go visit, make the call, cover the rent, make the meal, send the text, but the groceries… Taking the first step of faith leads to the next step.

Jesus then says, “Don’t be afraid.” To not be afraid requires trust and belief. This second step goes beyond the practical. It requires stepping out or into a situation that might be tense or emotional or difficult or sorrowful or… Going to the home or to the hospital or to the jail or… can raise up fears, doubts, anxiety, worry, unease. When Jesus tells us to “go,” we can be assured that he goes with us.

Lastly in today’s passage, Jesus says, “Don’t tell anybody about the vision until the Human One is raised from the dead.” Many in the world are not ready to hear that Jesus is indeed the all-powerful and all-mighty God-in-the-flesh. After miracles some have flirted with the idea of making Jesus their earthly king. This is not Jesus’ purpose. He is not on earth to destroy and exert power over others. His kingship is grounded in love, in lifting others up, in healing our lives and world. His way of love transforms us, most often working from the inside out. As we listen and follow, Jesus offers us guidance and direction, comfort and strength, peace and assurance, hope and joy, and love. As we walk with Jesus in Spirit, we share these gifts with the world.

Prayer: Lord God, help us first to see where you call us and then to be willing to go where you send us. Fill us with your Holy Spirit power, easing our fears and doubts, giving us the words to say and the actions to take. Go with us as we bear your love as our light. In and through us, transform our world and our lives with your love. Amen.


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Be the Hands…

Reading: Psalm 95

Verse 2: “Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song”.

As many arise today and ponder going to church, there is a new reality that one considers. A dangerous illness has spread across the world and it causes us to take pause before engaging in an event or gathering. Schools have shut down for at least a week; sporting and other large events have been postponed or cancelled. At least for this Sunday we will gather as a community of faith to worship. At least for today we will “come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song”. Several or many will gather with us virtually as they watch the live stream and sing, pray, and listen from home.

In this new era of social distancing the decision to stay home is a wise and prudent decision for many. Let us remember that within that group are some who are vulnerable at this time. In our church and in almost all churches, the elderly are a group that falls into this category. Like with other groups that are vulnerable at this time, as people of faith we must step up and engage in ways that are safe and loving. So make a phone call and check in on that elderly person or couple on your block. So drop off some groceries or take a meal to that family a couple houses away with children who are missing the food that they usually get at school. So write a note of encouragement to those you know who are on the front lines of this medical battle. And, of course, pray. Pray for the sick, pray for the lonely, pray for the poor… Pray, pray, pray.

The psalmist reminds us that God is the creator. God is the maker and we are the “people of his pasture”. May we hear his voice. May we fight the tendency to harden our hearts. Instead, may we trust in his power and might. In this time of crisis in our land and in our communities, be the hands and feet and voice of Jesus Christ. You are needed.

Prayer: Lord God, I pray for your healing touch to fall upon our world. With you, anything is possible. So I pray for healing. As I wait, guide me to be love in my community. Amen.