Lent
February 19, 2018
Scripture Reading: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said to him, ‘I am God make you exceedingly numerous.’ Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, ‘As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. –Genesis 17:1-7
I attended an Abrahamic Traditions dinner recently bringing together Jews, Christians, and Muslims for an evening to celebrate our common faith source within our diversities of expressions. In a world aflame with war and hate, it is refreshing to remember we were all created by the same God. I suppose there are as many ways of relating to God as there are people on this earth. The fact that we developed groupings that share common systems of worship is perhaps a miracle itself. Bringing those groups to the same table is even more extraordinary. In my tradition, we strive to be one in the Body of Christ, but even Jesus said I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. (John 10:16) He desired to bring us all together. Do we all assume that means make everybody else like us?
The common denominator of faith is love, loving God and loving our neighbor as we love ourselves. Easy to say, it is much harder to do. I fear our hypocritical failure at meeting this most basic tenet of faith drives us further and further apart. Humans seem to need to apply conditions while living God’s unconditional love. Frankly, I do not think we are capable of loving God without living in close intimate communion with God. God enables our love.
Prayer: Lord, as we journey through these days of Lent remembering your ministry and your trials, embolden our ability to love you, ourselves, and one another so that we might give you the pleasure of our oneness in our diversity. Amen.