I'm talking about the kind of relationship that moves people to become less self-centered and more a part of the Church. I want to be the kind of pastor who encourages people to realize that we belong to God and each other. We are not individuals who live for self but part of a community of faith and the world. We can make a difference in the world when we put others first. We can have a positive impact when we remember to love our neighbors, to forgive our enemies, and to pray for each other. The judging has to stop!
This coming Sunday, the lectionary thread running throughout, that I chose to explore (I used this week's lectionary yesterday because we are having a service of music this Sunday and I was very drawn to these scriptures), is abundance. In the OT lesson, we see what abundance can do when it is self-centered. King David misuses the abundant power and authority of his kingship to rape, connive, cover-up, and arrange a murder (2 Sam. 11:1-15). Didn't God tell them that kings would do such as this? Even the one after God's own heart was not immune.
In the Gospel lesson, we see the abundance of our Lord's love and compassion. In his presence, the people's hunger is satisfied. There is more than enough to go around. It multiplies and can be shared. Love grows when it is shared with others That love spills over in the ways in which we care for one another, in how we use our resources and the earth's resources (John 6:1-21). The King of kings has given us more than enough for all the people, for all of creation! The true King cares for the people and deserves our total devotion.
Then, the Epistle lesson reminds us that the Holy Spirit at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine (Eph. 3:14-21). I don't know about you, but I have a big imagination! If I can imagine wonderful things for the church God has placed in my care, just think what the Holy Spirit is able to do! Paul (or the person writing in Paul's name) wanted the Ephesians (and us) to know the abundance of God's love, wanted us to be rooted and grounded in it; wanted all we do to come from the love that surpasses knowledge; wanted Christ to dwell in our hearts through faith.
The reading from Psalm 14 is a reminder that evil is greedy. Evil wants more and is selfish. Love cares for the needy. Love cares for all people.
Jesus was able to do amazing things with the little bit that was given unselfishly. So often, we hold on to our little bit (of time, resources, gifts) because we feel it is insignificant in the face of such great and overwhelming need. Shouldn't we start looking at God's awesome power to take our little bit and multiply it?
Love is to be shared. Let's start a tidal wave of love! Choose to love and not to judge. If you feel judgment begin to rise up within you, stop and pray for the one(s) you would judge. Don't make it a selfish, manipulative prayer by instructing God to change this or that about the person(s). Instead, truly lift the person(s) before God and pray God's blessings and best for them and trust God to know what that is, even if it is different from what you believe that would be. Pray that your own heart might be filled with love for them. Pray that you would see them through the eyes of God's heart.
I am adding a prayer to this that all who read it would be inspired to love with great abandon!
