Eastertide

May 5, 2020

Scripture Reading:
Acts 7:55-60
But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’ But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he died.

Stephen prayed Lord, do not hold this sin against them. Jesus prayed, Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:34) The above scripture and Jesus’ words from the cross came to mind while I watched news reports of people protesting requirements to follow the rules meant to protect their lives and the lives of others. There is no way to make anybody follow regulations or laws if they choose to break them. That includes the Ten Commandments and even Jesus’ call for us to Love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves. All must pay the consequences of their choices. God’s guiding laws were designed to show people the better way of being that will make their lives physically, mentally, and spiritually healthier.

Stephen was preaching things others did not want to hear, and when they could not control him, they gathered others to join them and brought him before the Temple council, which led to his being stoned to death.

Fear does terrible things to people. We particularly fear the things over which we have no control.  I think it is human nature to want to do something, anything to avoid negative impacts. Thus, to most not doing anything except staying home and wearing masks and washing our hands is not a productive response.  The problem with that is it works. These are truly acts of loving our neighbor as we love ourselves. Since staying home go against our basic norms, it may be the hardest thing we have ever done.

Prayer: Lord, who routinely counseled us not to fear, give us the courage to love our neighbors as we love ourselves like we have never done before. 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.