Tag Archives: Loving our Neighbor

Owning What We Say

Living in the Spirit

November 13, 2022

Scripture Reading: Luke 21:5-19

‘But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls. –Luke 5:12-19

To prepare one’s defense in advance seems to be an attempt to justify something that was wrong. The problem when the words written above were recorded and still the problem today in seeking justice is that we all see things the way we choose to see them based on our backgrounds. Police investigators get suspicious when all the witnesses to an event tell the same story. That does not normally happen. l am 5 foot two inches tall, and I see the world from that height. A seven-footer standing right next to me gets an entirely different view. Both are most likely telling the truth as they experienced it.

I was taught in a class many years ago when trying to work with groups to you “I” language. That simply means setting the norm for discussion in recognition of the fact that everyone does not perceive the world in the same way. Everyone owning their viewpoint enables the group to search among the difference to find the common threads that might end a stalemate. My way or the highway lands most of us in a serious traffic jam. Abortion is a great example of that. The best way to markedly end abortion is to provide quality, affordable, and easily accessible preventive health care; provide a quality public education that allows students to form good decision-making habits and prepare them for a career that will allow them to start their adult life beyond poverty. Yet the USA has the most expensive health care system in the world and does not provide adequate financial support for education leaving many youths stuck in low-wage jobs as adults. We can and must do better than that.

Prayer: Lord, give us the words to say when we work together toward building a better world forall your children. 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.

Borders

Living in the Spirit

October 8, 2022

Scripture Reading: Luke 17:11-19
On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ When he saw them, he said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, ‘Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ Then he said to him, ‘Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.’

My first thought when I read this scripture was that there is no region between Samaria and Galilee. And, yes, I agree that is a strange thing to get hung up on when reading the Bible. Not wanting to depend on my memory I pulled up a map and, indeed, much of Samaria and Galilee share a border. On the eastern boundary, however, there is an area between Samaria and Galilee which is an extension of the Decapolis that consisted of several Hellenistic cities*. Samaritans and Jews had a long history of disagreement and avoided each other as much as possible. Jesus did not avoid anyone. He wandered not only through Sumara but also through the Hellenistic cities of the Decapolis. He modeled for us that there are no borders in the Kingdom of God.

Why are borders so important to us? Social scientists call it ethnocentricity, which means we are inclined to regard one’s own race or social group as the center of culture**.  As we interact with “the other” we often discover that they may have customs that are more practical or easier than ours and they may learn from some of our practices. We only hurt ourselves by bordering off “the others” who are our neighbors.

Prayer: Lord, help us to see the worth in each person and culture we encounter. Amen.

*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decapolis

**https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/ethnocentricity

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.

Tantrums

Living in the Spirit

September 12, 2021

Scripture Reading: Mark 8:27-38

He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’ –Mark 8:34-48

As I observe adults in our world today, I am often reminded of what has been dubbed the terrible twos.

Two-year-olds undergo major motor, intellectual, social and emotional changes. Also, children at this age can understand much more speech than they can express — a factor that contributes to emotions and behaviors that are difficult for parents to interpret.

Two-year-olds are struggling with their reliance on their parents and their desire for independence. They’re eager to do things on their own, but they’re beginning to discover that they’re expected to follow certain rules. The difficulty of this normal development can lead to inappropriate behavior, frustration, out-of-control feelings and tantrums*.

Jesus’ statements, in the above scripture, address this point of development. When we can set living like Christ as our priority, everything else falls into its rightful place. God wants all of God’s children to have enough of the necessities of life to fulfill their calling as Christ-followers using all their gifts. When some are exceptionally gifted more is expected of them. It does not mean they are better than anyone else. While there will always be different levels of wealth, the point at which anyone’s wealth crosses over into greed they lose their connection to following Christ. The same is true of power. Our self-righteous use of power endangers others causing us to fail to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.  Thus, we fail God, too.

Prayer: Lord, we are afraid of what we do not understand. We cannot put into words how that impacts us. When we feel out of control, reassure us that you are in control and grant us the knowledge of your righteousness to guide our behavior. Amen.

*https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/terrible-twos/faq-20058314

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.

Loving the Hater

Eastertide

April 29, 2021

Scripture Reading: 1 John 4:7-21

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. —1 John 4:7-12

The news reported this morning that a small town in Oklahoma with about 3,000 residents found nearly half the town papered with notices inviting participation in the KKK. A few other towns had similar experiences. The Southern Poverty Law Center has identified 12 hate groups in Oklahoma, from racist skinheads to Neo-Nazis. I find it ironic that some are also identified as being affiliated with various faith groups. Guess they had not read John 4.

What is hate?

  1. intense hostility toward an object (as an individual) that has frustrated the release of an inner tension (as of a biological nature)
  2. an habitual emotional attitude in which distaste is coupled with sustained ill will
  3. a strong dislike or antipathy*

What causes hate? What are the benefits of hating? Freud related depression resulting from anger turned inward, as a reaction to being hurt. Every human is unique, and no other human can know how some behavior or words might impact another. Bullied by a girl in grade school, I was reminded of her every time I meet someone who shares her name. I could have projected my hurt and fears caused by being bullied on those who shared her name, never knowing why. I hope I did not recoil from anyone because of my history with one person because they shared her name. As I look back on her, I now remember a large girl who had been held back a couple of years in school and was the source of teasing by older children on the playground.

Hating is a means of establishing self-worth when for whatever reason, a person never had or has lost the relationships that foster a love of oneself. Jesus commanded us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves**. That may involve loving our neighbors until they love themselves.

Prayer: Lord, you love us despite our sins and gave your life to free us from their bondage. Empower us to love like you love to help others understand what love is. Amen.

*https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/hate
**See Mark 12:31

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.

Hungry Souls

Eastertide

May 28, 2020

Scripture Reading: Romans 12:9-16b
Let Love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.

I usually do not pay attention to those section headings in my Bible. The one for today’s scripture above, however, caught my eye, and I thought it was spot-on: Marks of the True Christian. I also today forwarded a Facebook message that listed one by one many of the problems and issues with which we are dealing right now. Each one was followed by the same solution: Love Your Neighbor.

Of course, loving our neighbors gets all caught up in how we feel about ourselves, the environment in which we were raised, and the propaganda we must separate from the truth. The one thing I might add is we must let God’s Love flow through us before we can transmit it to our neighbors.

I eat healthy food, but one can overdo eating even healthy food. I held out reasonably well through the first few weeks of sheltering at home, eating within my limits. I found a couple of weeks ago that I was grabbing a few almonds in between meals, and I realized I was developing a bad habit. My go-to scripture for reconnecting with God is Psalm 63:1-8. I cannot tell you how many times I have recited it in my head, but a few days ago, the phrase, My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, jumped out to me. My soul was hungry, not my body. So, now when I get the urge for some extra almonds, I recite that phrase and move on to more productive activities.

How often is our inability to love our neighbors driven by the unfulfilled hungering of our souls for God’s Love? God has not moved, nor does God ever stop loving us. We, however, are totally capable of turning to lesser gods to feed our basic needs, particularly when we are caught in stressful situations beyond our control. All we need to do is turn away from those temptations and turn toward our Creator God who is Love.

Over governments at all levels face significant challenges in dealing with the multiple evils that are befalling us. People of faith, including the whole Body of Christ, have an even greater mission to model and share the Love of God to all people so that as one with God, we can live without fear loving one another because Christ has indeed overcome the world. (See John 16:33)

Prayer:
Fill my cup, Lord;
I lift it up Lord;
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul.
Bread of Heaven, feed me till I want no more.
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole*. Amen

Chorus from Fill My Cup, Lord by Richard Blanchard see at https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/ns/340

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.

Being Chosen Being Privileged

Eastertide

May 8, 2020

Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 2:2-10

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Once you were not a people,
   but now you are God’s people;
once you had not received mercy,
   but now you have received mercy.—1 Peter 2:9-10

What does it mean to be chosen?

Typically, 1588 /eklektós (“select, chosen”) describes people who choose to follow the Lord, i.e. become God’s choice by freely receiving faith (4102 /pístis) from Him. Accordingly, these two terms are directly connected (see Tit 1:1; Lk 18:7,8).*

When we make the choice to follow the Lord, we freely receive God’s grace. Grace is a gift not payment in return for anything we have done.  It is in Biblical terms a privilege available to all who chose to accept it.

Privilege: a right or immunity granted as a peculiar benefit, advantage, or favor :  special enjoyment of a good or exemption from an evil or burden**

While grace is mentioned 126 times in the New Testament the word privilege is only used twice:

begging us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in this ministry to the saints—2 Corinthians 8.4

For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well— Philippians 1.29

The words chosen and privilege have become muddled in our world resulting in the perception that they express an hierarchy of worth rather than a calling to serve. All are worthy in the sight of God who created all and implanted God’s image in each of us. As we struggle to adapt to the new normal of a pandemic, we need to revisit these terms and understand the responsibility they involve. Wearing a mask and social distancing are not a breaches of our freedom. They are ways to protect our neighbors and outward signs that we love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for your give us grace sustain us as we answer your call to serve. Amen.

*https://biblehub.com/greek/1588.htm
**https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/privilege

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.

Finding Welfare

homeless-man1Living in the Spirit
October 4, 2016

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7

But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. –Jeremiah 29:7

While I began my career in human services in the midst of the war on poverty, it was not long until I understood the word “welfare” in the USA was considered a dirty word. So much so that in the early part of the 1970’s the state agency for which I worked changed its name from the Department of Public Welfare to The Department of Institutions, Social and Rehabilitative Services. Some years later the named changed to the Department of Human Services. The preamble to the US Constitution states:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. (Emphasis added)

The wellbeing of each contributes to the wellbeing of all. Levitical law provided for it: You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. (Leviticus 19:18) Jeremiah understood it in the fifth century BCE. Jesus taught it in every aspect of his life. Nigerian author Chinua Achebe states it this way While we do our good works let us not forget that the real solution lies in a world in which charity will have become unnecessary.

Prayer: Lord help us to build a just world where charity has become unnecessary. 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.