Epiphany
Celebration of God
Manifested in the World
February 12, 2015
Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:3-6
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. — 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
How did we get to the place where each group of Christ’s followers all think we have the inside scoop on God and we all disagree? While Kris Kristofferson’s words refer to a personal relationship, I think they apply here to the proclaimed members of the Body of Christ in the world today:
Anymore it doesn’t matter
Who’s right or wrong
We’ve been injuring each other
For much too long
And it’s too late to try to save
What might have been
It’s over, nobody wins*
While I agree with the final diagnosis that nobody wins, I am not ready to give up, are you?
First, I think we need to consider that within the Body of Christ we are all winners. There is no competition when we are all loved by the very Source of life itself. Second, we need to recognize that none of us have been assigned the task of judging who is or is not “fit” for the Kingdom of God. Jesus sent us forth into the world to all people and Jesus Christ is the only one with the power to judge people. He has the capacity to look far deeper into our hearts and minds than any of us do. He even talked to church leaders about judging by outward appearances: You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may become clean. (Matthew 23:26)
I think we need to invest a lot more energy in finding what makes us one and a lot less energy in practicing what divides us.
Prayer: Lord help us rest so completely in your love that we are enabled only to love our fellow brothers and sisters around the world for whom your love is complete. Amen.