Eastertide
April 22, 2014
Read Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. — Colossians 3:12-14
Singing and dancing marked the Israelites successful crossing of the Red Sea. Moses’ song in Exodus 15: 18 ends with these words: The Lord will reign forever and ever. So, too, we acknowledge the continuing reign of God in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Not only has the world been transformed, but we as individuals and as the followers of Christ have been called to transformation also. We are asked to take on a significant role in the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth by living as if it were already fully realized.
The history of our world abounds in stories of the overthrowing of peoples, countries, and tribes, primarily through violence or the threat of violence. Not so the kingdom of God, it is being built on a foundation of love and its anthem rings with harmony not the dissonance of war.
As I write this, trouble makers are stirring the pot of discord in Ukraine and millions of people are displaced from Syria as its civil war continues. It all seems so hopeless. Power hungry people have no qualms about using force to get their way. They seem oblivious to the hurting and hungry children in the streets.
I am a basketball fan and I believe that one of the maxims of basketball may need to be applied in our world today. A team should never let the opposing team control the pace of the game. Never let them dictate the way it will be played. For if our team gives in to their strategic plan, our team most likely will be the loser. We are a war weary nation and the world knows it and there are those who are trying to take advantage of it, but that does not mean with have to play their game.
If we are called to compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience and unite with others who would prefer this course, we could leave the violence-prone power mongers shadow boxing. For such a plan to work, all those opposed to violence must work in harmony and therein lay the challenge. If we really do not want to pay the high price of war both in lives and resources then we need to develop a really good game plan based on non-violent means and make it work. We have our military prowess ever lurking in the background, ready if needed, as a strong backup incentive. Now is the time to move our world a few steps closer to a world of wholeness, oneness, and justice for all through our love.
Prayer: God grant us the mercy to find our partners in seeking a world of peace not war and bring us together in harmony. Amen.
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.