Eastertide
April 6, 2018

Scripture Reading: 1 John 1:1-2:2

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. –1 John 2:1-2

Each morning watching the morning news and reading various newspapers generally leaves me unsettled these days. I think those reporting the news must feel the same way as I have noted the routine inclusions of stories about good things peppered in as an antidote to the disconcerting reports. Reading first John is such an antidote. The author does not mince words; he jumps in immediately and challenges us to face up to our sins individually and collectively. The antidote he offers is Jesus Christ the righteous whose desire is not just to save us as individuals but to save the whole world, God’s world.

Globalization is a political hotbed discussion. People are very inclined to see their social group as the center of the universe. It starts at the community level. I attended a tiny public school. There were seven students in my high school graduating class. Talk about consolidating my school with our arch rival six miles away began the year I graduated. We were furious at the thought. I left for college and consolidation had lost its importance for me when two years later the schools were united. The move improved the quality of education. Today the students could not imagine school any other way. Now they might not want to consolidate with their nearest arch rival.

In God’s world, there are no boundaries, everyone has enough to meet basic needs, and all can enjoy the diversity of cultures on God’s good earth. Power is vested in the quality of our love and weapons long ago were converted into tools that produce that which nurtures us.

God’s vision of our world is our goal as we strive to be the Body of Christ today.

Prayer: Jesus Christ the Righteous, enable us to live in righteousness as we work toward your vision’ fulfillment. 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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.