Sunday, May 23, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Love One Another
5/2/10 at Holy Spirit in Eagle River
Love One Another
John 13: 31-35
Opening Prayer: May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be always acceptable to you, our rock and our redeemer.
Introduction: My guess is that a number of your are wondering, as I did, why this passage is being used during the Easter Season. After all, this gospel passage takes place shortly before the crucifixion, and is often used during Maundy Thursday services.
Jesus was preparing his disciples for how to live when he was no longer with them. The lectionary is preparing us for how to live after Ascension Day, when Jesus was longer walking around after the Resurrection.
"I give you a new commandment, that you love one another."
I believe it is telling that when Jesus gave his disciples this new commandment, it was not a suggestion or a recommendation. Neither was it religious advice - something that would be good for them if they would get around to doing it.
Jesus' last instruction to his disciples was to "love one another as I have loved you." Jesus showed his love to his disciples by washing their feet, even though he was the Master, and they were the followers. He also showed his love by dying for us. That is the kind of love he was talking about when he told them to love others as he had loved us. Love is an action, not just a mushy feeling.
The sacrificial love that Jesus showed went way beyond respecting the rights and needs of others. That is what made this a "new" commandment. Almost every society and religion value love; but God gives us grace to love our enemies, those who differ from us, or disagree with us, and those whom we find most difficult to love or understand.
If sacrificial love was easy to do, or was natural for us, Jesus would not have "commanded" us to do it. We usually are most likely to show sacrificial love for close family members.
I remember one preacher saying "Love your enemies. It will drive them crazy." When we can show that kind of love, it comes from a position of strength, and not weakness. Walter Wink tells the story of how South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu once walked by a construction site on a temporary sidewalk the width of one person. A white man appeared at the other end, recognized Tutu, and said, "I don't make way for gorillas." At which Tutu stepped aside, made a deep sweeping gesture, and said, "Ah, yes, but I do."'
The reference for today was especially of the need for the members of the community of faith to have love for one another. Many of you probably recall where the gospels make reference to the disciples arguing with themselves which one of them was the greatest. In addition, when the Gospel according to John was written, the Johannine church was having a tough time. They were having a lot of doctrinal disputes, and various members responded differently to outside pressure. Therefore, the unity of the Johannine church was wearing down. It was essential that if they were going to survive as a community of faith that they have love for one another.
When we as a community of faith can love each other in spite of differences in doctrine, we will grow. I am not talking just about the Holy Spirit congregation, or the Episcopal Diocese of Alaska, or even the Anglican community as a whole. I am talking about the Christian church as a whole. We are our own worst enemies. It is fine to go to a particular service because we prefer Rite I or Rite II, or because we prefer organ music or guitar music. It is also fine to prefer the Episcopal Church because we like the liturgy, or the moving around during the service by standing, sitting, or kneeling. My parents prefer the Methodist church because they like the informality of the service. What is destructive is when congregations evaluate other congregations on if they are "real" Christians. One of the Christian radio stations was advertising for a position awhile ago. They described the position at the radio, and also stated that the applicant needed to be part of a "Bible believing church."
One reason I like Baptisms and Confirmations in the Episcopal Church is I get to renew myself when we recite the Baptismal Covenant. It helps me get back on track. I also love that after each question, the answer is "I will, with God's help."
Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breading of bread, and in the prayers?
I will, with God's help.
Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
I will, with God's help.
Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
I will, with God's help.
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
I will with God's help.
Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
I will with God's help.
LOVE ONE ANOTHER!
Love One Another
John 13: 31-35
Opening Prayer: May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be always acceptable to you, our rock and our redeemer.
Introduction: My guess is that a number of your are wondering, as I did, why this passage is being used during the Easter Season. After all, this gospel passage takes place shortly before the crucifixion, and is often used during Maundy Thursday services.
Jesus was preparing his disciples for how to live when he was no longer with them. The lectionary is preparing us for how to live after Ascension Day, when Jesus was longer walking around after the Resurrection.
"I give you a new commandment, that you love one another."
I believe it is telling that when Jesus gave his disciples this new commandment, it was not a suggestion or a recommendation. Neither was it religious advice - something that would be good for them if they would get around to doing it.
Jesus' last instruction to his disciples was to "love one another as I have loved you." Jesus showed his love to his disciples by washing their feet, even though he was the Master, and they were the followers. He also showed his love by dying for us. That is the kind of love he was talking about when he told them to love others as he had loved us. Love is an action, not just a mushy feeling.
The sacrificial love that Jesus showed went way beyond respecting the rights and needs of others. That is what made this a "new" commandment. Almost every society and religion value love; but God gives us grace to love our enemies, those who differ from us, or disagree with us, and those whom we find most difficult to love or understand.
If sacrificial love was easy to do, or was natural for us, Jesus would not have "commanded" us to do it. We usually are most likely to show sacrificial love for close family members.
I remember one preacher saying "Love your enemies. It will drive them crazy." When we can show that kind of love, it comes from a position of strength, and not weakness. Walter Wink tells the story of how South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu once walked by a construction site on a temporary sidewalk the width of one person. A white man appeared at the other end, recognized Tutu, and said, "I don't make way for gorillas." At which Tutu stepped aside, made a deep sweeping gesture, and said, "Ah, yes, but I do."'
The reference for today was especially of the need for the members of the community of faith to have love for one another. Many of you probably recall where the gospels make reference to the disciples arguing with themselves which one of them was the greatest. In addition, when the Gospel according to John was written, the Johannine church was having a tough time. They were having a lot of doctrinal disputes, and various members responded differently to outside pressure. Therefore, the unity of the Johannine church was wearing down. It was essential that if they were going to survive as a community of faith that they have love for one another.
When we as a community of faith can love each other in spite of differences in doctrine, we will grow. I am not talking just about the Holy Spirit congregation, or the Episcopal Diocese of Alaska, or even the Anglican community as a whole. I am talking about the Christian church as a whole. We are our own worst enemies. It is fine to go to a particular service because we prefer Rite I or Rite II, or because we prefer organ music or guitar music. It is also fine to prefer the Episcopal Church because we like the liturgy, or the moving around during the service by standing, sitting, or kneeling. My parents prefer the Methodist church because they like the informality of the service. What is destructive is when congregations evaluate other congregations on if they are "real" Christians. One of the Christian radio stations was advertising for a position awhile ago. They described the position at the radio, and also stated that the applicant needed to be part of a "Bible believing church."
One reason I like Baptisms and Confirmations in the Episcopal Church is I get to renew myself when we recite the Baptismal Covenant. It helps me get back on track. I also love that after each question, the answer is "I will, with God's help."
Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breading of bread, and in the prayers?
I will, with God's help.
Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
I will, with God's help.
Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
I will, with God's help.
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
I will with God's help.
Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
I will with God's help.
LOVE ONE ANOTHER!
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