+I have a friend who is a priest in Chicago. One day I was at his church as he was preparing for a big parish event…as he was running around he was muttering, “Jesus never had a church, Jesus never had a church.” At the time I wasn’t sure what that was all about but now, after being ordained for a decade, I get it….sometimes the business of the church feels as if it’s overshadowing the business of God.
It’s true, Jesus didn’t have a church, nor did he have a denomination. Jesus simply had a message and some followers. But the message was revolutionary and his followers were growing, so he also had to deal with the institutional faith of the day—the Temple and the temple authorities. Jesus may have been fully human and fully Divine, but even his Divine nature had to deal with church—or in this case temple--- politics.
In today’s Gospel those authorities were none too happy with Jesus. The specifics of the argument are a bit arcane; suffice it to say the authorities had one interpretation of the Jewish restrictions on activity during the sabbath while Jesus had a broader, wider more encompassing view. The authorities were basing their opinion on human-made (although no doubt Divine inspired) law. Jesus was basing it on who God is, what God wants, and what God needs. You see, the Jewish people had their “law” handed down to them from Moses. Jesus’ followers had the requirements of God presented to them by God in the flesh,Jesus Christ. Yeah, this is an argument the temple authorities are going to lose every single time.
The authorities had Divine law interpreted by human beings---complete with what humanity brings to the table—flaws and foibles—while Jesus had, well Jesus had the inside track…. Jesus had God. Jesus knew what it was the Lord required of us….because he was and he is the Lord. The authorities had nary a chance.
And just what is it that God requires of us, just what is it that God dreams for us, just what is it that God created us to be?
God made us out of Love to be Love to give Love, to share Love.
Now when I say love I don’t just mean the love we have for our spouses, our children, our parents, our siblings, our friends. I don’t just mean the love a couple has for one another on their wedding day, or the love a family has for a baby (like baby Angel who will be baptized in a few minutes---at the 10:30 Eucharist---), no I mean the source from which all of that love springs. I mean the source of all that is good and holy and joyful and peaceful and justice-filled in this world. I mean God. For God is Love. Period.
Today as we baptize Angel (and as we at the 8:30 renew our own baptismal vows) we “re-up” the fundamentals of our faith:
That we love the Creator of all—God.
That we proclaim Jesus, God’s son, as our Lord and Savior.
That we embrace the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ specific gift to us.
That we seek justice for all. That we stand up and speak out when other children of God are unjustly treated. And that means more than shaking our heads and saying, “what a shame,” it means doing something to make sure that justice is served. Always.
That we respect the dignity of every single person. Everyone. Everywhere. Always. Meaning that if people aren’t being treated with dignity---if they are hungry, lonely, naked…or they’re in prison, or they’re children ripped from their parent’s arms due to political instead of compassionate decision-making…or they’re sick with no access to quality healthcare, or they’re not safe in their classroom….
You get the point….by virtue of our baptism we promise, we vow to see Christ in all whom we encounter and to be Christ to all those we encounter.
In sum, we promise to Love.
It’s all about Love, my friends.
Two weeks ago our Presiding Bishop captivated the world with his words about Love delivered at the Royal Wedding. Why did his message so captivate the 2 billion people who heard them? Because our world is a hurting place. Our world is an increasingly angry place. Our world is an increasingly dark place. Our world is hungry for, is desperate for, Love.
On this day when we make ourselves a brand new Christian, when we celebrate Angel as the beloved child of God that he is--- formed out of love to love and to be loved, let me close by quoting Presiding Bishop Curry:
“…Imagine a world where love is the way.
Imagine our homes and families where love is the way. Imagine neighborhoods and communities where love is the way.
Imagine governments and nations where love is the way. Imagine business and commerce where this love is the way.
Imagine this tired old world where love is the way….
When love is the way, then no child will go to bed hungry in this world ever again.
When love is the way, we will let justice roll down like a mighty stream and righteousness like an ever-flowing brook.
When love is the way, poverty will become history. When love is the way, the earth will be a sanctuary.
When love is the way, we will lay down our swords and shields, down by the riverside, to study war no more.
When love is the way, there's plenty good room - plenty good room - for all of God's children.”
My friends, Love is the way. It’s the best way, it’s the certain way, it’s the only way.
Love one another. Love yourself. And above all else, Love your God, for God loves you, God loves us, beyond all understanding. Always and Forever. Amen.
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