Ephesians 6:10-20, John 6:56-69People living in Jesus’ time were expected to follow an elaborate set of laws and codes, guiding principles that had been in place for years. The reality is that observance of the laws had become empty. Following the laws satisfied one’s pride, but not one’s spirit. Jesus offered a new kind of law, a law that finds its place in the heart. Once settled there, that principle shapes how people look at one another. The way that they treat one another. That law, that guiding principle, of course, is love. Jesus taught that God is a God of love. A God that loves all people—whether they are healthy or sick, old or young, rich or poor.
The challenge for us as people of faith is to continually affirm the law that Jesus has given us: to love one another. To be ever mindful of its place deep within us, at our core. To nurture its growth, so that it becomes stronger and stronger. To be aware of how it shapes us. To make it visible in what comes out of us: our words and our actions. And when we fail in our intentions, when we utter hurtful words or do harmful things, then we return to God. To acknowledge what we have done and ask God’s forgiveness. Then, to then to try once again to pursue the work we have been given to do: to love one another.
The Collect for this week is a prayer for God’s help in our effort to be faithful.
I offer it to you for your own prayer life:
Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things:
Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion;
nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
Peace,
Deacon Sue
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