A theme of “value” seems to flow through this Sunday’s readings (5 Easter). Peter learns not to question the value of spreading the Good News to gentiles. In Revelation, John testifies that God will dwell with us and we with God; all will be made new. Even in the Gospel, Jesus’ new commandment dictates that we learn to love (i.e. value) one another.
William Slone Coffin wrote in Letters to a Young Doubter about a way to look at value I’d never thought of before. He writes:
“…God’s love doesn’t seek value; it creates it. It’s not because we have value that we are loved, but because we are loved that we have value. Our value is a gift, not an achievement. Just think: we never have to prove ourselves; that’s already taken care of. All we have to do is express ourselves—return God’s love with our own—and what a world of difference there is between proving ourselves and expressing ourselves.” (96)
I am grateful for Coffin’s words and hope that we can live into Jesus’ commandment expressing our love for all, especially God.
Peace,
The Rev. M.E. Eccles, LPC
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