Colossians 3:12-14 Love wins!

 1 Corinthians 13:1–13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing…

The love of God given to us in Christ Jesus covered a multitude of the sins of mankind. Should we not love others  the same?  Love God above all and love others in the same manner that He loves us. Without His love as our base we are just making noise. Carla

Colossians 3:12-14

12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as •Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. (NKJV)

Since all of God’s fullness resides in Christ, every spiritual reality is found in Christ. In Him, we lack nothing. The Greek word theotētos for Godhead is used only here in the NT and designates the totality of God’s nature and person. All the fullness of the Godhead “dwells” or “permanently resides” in the body of Jesus, the God-man. The NKJV Study Bible.

Originally, God chose the nation of Israel to be His people (Deuteronomy14:2; Romans9:4–5). However, because such distinctions are rendered irrelevant in Christ (Colossians3:11), Paul affirms the Colossian believers as being among God’s chosen people. Believers must have patience with one another, even while enduring difficult situations. Even in the community of believers, the actions of some offend or hurt others; how believers respond is critical. Experiencing God’s forgiveness shows that believers must forgive one another (Luke 7:47). Faithlife Study Bible

Ephesians 4:2–3

with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

Ephesians 4:32

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

2 Corinthians 6:6

by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 

Philippians 2:1

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,

Let us never forget, we do not lose our capacity to care. To make space. To be present.

To bless and be blessed.

Because here's the deal: Blessing is not separate from fraught or broken lives.  On the contrary; we pass this blessing on to one another, even from splintered and imperfect selves. (It makes sense to me that the word salvation, from the Latin "salve," means a balm, or ointment to heal.)

Because division and cynicism too easily grip us, we “miss” one another... meaning we miss opportunities to see, to hear, to love, to touch and to bless. But here's the part that befuddles me. So often when we do touch (or are blessed)—and it does happen very often—we don’t see it. Ahhh, but when we do see it (even when we are broken)... it is the very kiss of God.

I confess: It’s so easy to close my eyes, and emotionally take a pass, because I know how to do that. And I can let gloom get the best of me because I know how to do that too. But this isn’t the time for any one of us to be trapped by fear and judgment, demonization and division, or to be unsettled by cruelty.

Grace wins. Hope wins. Compassion wins.

This matters more than ever, in a divisive world, a world on edge, a world where a kind word or gesture makes all the difference. What we do, and who we are, touches lives, plain and simple. Sabbath Moments

Revelation 5:8-10 Jesus, the King of kings and the Lord over all!

 Revelation 1:5–6 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Alleluia to my Lord my God. For He so loved the world that He sent his only begotten Son that through Him the world could be saved (John 3:16-17) Carla

Revelation 5:8-10 

Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll,

And to open its seals;

For You were slain,

And have redeemed us to God by Your blood

Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,

10 And have made us kings and priests to our God;

And we shall reign on the earth.” (NKJV)

Revelation 14:1–4

Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps…

Psalm 141:2

Let my prayer be set before You as incense,

The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Revelation 5:6

And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 

Revelation 8:3–4

Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand.

A prayer for a new day

Gracious God,

Thank you for the gift of today.

Refresh me. Invite me to discover your presence

In each person that I meet

And every event that I encounter.

Teach me when to speak and when to listen

When to ponder and when to share.

In moments of challenge and decision

Attune my heart to the whisperings of your Wisdom.

As I undertake ordinary and unnoticed tasks,

Gift me with simple joy.

When my day goes well, may I rejoice.

When it grows difficult, surprise me with

New possibilities.

When life is overwhelming, call me to

Sabbath moments

To restore your Peace and Harmony.

May my living today reveal your Goodness.

Amen.

Pat Bergen, C.S.J. via Jesuit Resource

Psalm 34:14 Jesus came with shouts of peace, peace to the people on earth!

 Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:  

What does God require of me? To seek justice for those who cannot seek it for themselves. To forgive others because He forgave me. To always remain humble in my walk with Him, knowing that I only see  in part that which God sees in whole. (Micah 6:8) 

We are blessed when we actively seek peace, not only for our country, but for the world that God created. We were created to do good  not just be hearers of Scripture. Jesus came to give up His life for ours and He is our example of how we are to live. God wants us to  love Him above all and include Him in all that we do. Jesus says we fulfill all of the rest of commandments when we love other families as much as we do our own. Love is the only thing that we will take with us from this world to the  Kingdom of God.  To God all glory and honor belongs. Carla

Psalm 34:14

Depart from evil and do good;

Seek peace and pursue it. (NKJV)

It is not enough not to do hurt, we must study to be useful, and to live to some purpose; we must seek peace and pursue it; be willing to deny ourselves a great deal for peace’ sake. It is the constant practice of real believers, when in distress, to cry unto God, and it is their constant comfort that he hears them. The righteous are humbled for sin, and are low in their own eyes. Nothing is more needful to true godliness than a contrite heart, broken off from every self-confidence. In this soil every grace will flourish, and nothing can encourage such a one but the free, rich grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Like a wisdom teacher the psalmist tells God’s people that fearing Yahweh involves refraining from speaking evil or deceit—a common theme in Wisdom Literature. It also involves a turning away from evil to good (Proverbs 3:7–8; 8:13; 16:6). Faithlife Study Bible

Psalm 37:27

Depart from evil, and do good;

And dwell forevermore.

Isaiah 1:16–17

“Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;

Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.

Cease to do evil,

Learn to do good;

Seek justice,

Rebuke the oppressor;

Defend the fatherless,

Plead for the widow.

Romans 14:19

Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 

Job 28:28

And to man He said,

‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,

And to depart from evil is understanding.’ ”

These days I cry easily. And gratefully, I don’t whisk them away—from embarrassment, or an expectation of apology. (“I’m sorry,” we too easily say, when tears well up.)

I am grateful for the tears. They remind me that my heart is still alive and well.

One of my favorite stories for the heart is “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse”, by Charlie Mackesy.

The boy sits on a branch and asks the mole: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

The answer: “Kind.”

The boy asks the mole, “What do you think success is?”

The reply: “To love.”

Sometimes we need stories more than food to stay alive. Stories to remind us, what really matters. Stories that invite and allow us, to see with our heart.

And if I were asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I would answer, “A soft and gentle heart.”

In a world that feels upside down, I am so grateful for all the ways that hearts are still nurtured and nourished. Through friendship. Kind gestures. Places of sanctuary and healing. Acts of empathy and gentleness. Affirmations of dignity inclusion, and the power of grace. 

The majority of us seem to have an aversion to anything “broken” (especially our own brokenness). Wedded to the notion that those who are different need to be marginalized or “fixed.” Which means that we make premature judgments, naming whatever is wounded or shattered or broken, as wrecked or ruined or threatening, and to be feared; and we miss, we do not see, the flame and the glow of the Glory of God that is within each, and every one of us.

What is it about labels that seduce us? Or do they comfort us?
There is no doubt that fitting life (and people) into boxes is easier.
We are certain we know.
We are certain we are correct.
And it does tidy things up a bit.
But here's the deal: it's too easy to fuel the fire of misunderstanding and intolerance and small-mindedness when I witness all of this through the lens of my own labels. 

I do know that when we label, we exclude, rather than include.
I do know that when we label, we live with scotoma, selective blindness.
And scotoma shuts down our heart, our capacity to care, give, love or welcome.
“You Believe What?”
“What are They doing here?”
“What can I receive from Them?”
“Why should I help Them?”

For starters, Lord knows our world could use a little more tenderness right now.

Here’s the deal: Heroes are ordinary souls who carry the weight of ordinary life. And heroism is born in every act of kindness and compassion and inclusion, no matter how small. Because in a world cynical and afraid, it takes courage to be kind and generous of spirit, and to fight for mercy and justice. That in persistence, we can choose, steady, daily acts of gentleness and kindness and inclusion and healing. One step in front of another.
Feeling marginalized happens for so many in our broken world. And we internally lug labels, feeling confined to a “box”, different or even dismissed. And perhaps there, we can hear the invitation to bravery, to ask for help and get the care we may need.

The mission of the Gospel has not changed. But the stakes have. Because I live in a country that chooses to label, and “reject”, certain people.
What I am learning is this: Perhaps the very people I exclude, are the ones who carry the light—the candle—that will allow me to see. That will allow me to see the Grace of God. And the expansive reach of God's acceptance. To every single one of us. Sabbath Moments

“There's a light in this world, a healing spirit more powerful than any darkness we may encounter. We sometimes lose sight of this force when there is suffering, too much pain. Then suddenly the spirit will emerge through the lives of ordinary people who hear a call, and answer in extraordinary ways.” From the film "Mother Teresa"

Matthew 19:16-22 To love is divine!

 Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (NKJV)

To love is divine. God so loved the world that He gave us Jesus. When we come to God through His shed blood our sins are forgiven. To those of us who have been forgiven much offering others that same forgiveness is easier. Is it easy to forgive those who have harmed us? No, but all things are possible with Holy Spirit in our lives. We love others because God first loved us. The love of money is at the root of many evils. We are all flawed  and He knows that we are mere humans. Carla

Matthew 19:16-22

16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”

17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

18 He said to Him, “Which ones?”

•Jesus said•, “ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” (20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”

21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.  (NKJV)

Why do you call Me good may be rephrased as “Why are you asking me concerning what is good?” The only One who can ultimately answer the question about goodness is God. The fact that Jesus went on to answer the question is a quiet claim to deity. This verse 21 does not teach salvation by works (Romans 3:23, 24; Ephesians 2:8, 9). Rather Jesus was proving the error of the man’s claim to have fulfilled God’s law (verse 20). If the young man loved his neighbor to the extent required by the Law of Moses (verse 19; Leviticus 19:18), he would have had no difficulty in giving away his wealth to needy people. The NKJV Study Bible

Eternal life describes life in the kingdom of the Messiah, which starts now but extends forever (John 3:16–17).

Why are you asking me about what is good?  God already had defined what is good when He gave the Israelites the 10 commandments. The one who is good refers to God, the giver of the commandments. Jesus responds with a representative sampling of the 10 commandments (Exodus 20:2–17), to which he adds the command about loving one’s neighbor (Leviticus 19:18).

Jesus sees the young man’s attachment to his possessions as a hindrance to faith. He commands the man to rid himself of whatever prevents him from making a total commitment to the kingdom of heaven. Jesus’ instructions suggest that the man has not truly kept the commandments, beginning with the first one—the command to have no other gods except Yahweh (Exodus 20:3). The man’s wealth is his god, and he is unwilling to part with it. Faithlife Study Bible

Exodus 20:12–16

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.“You shall not murder…

Deuteronomy 5:16–20

‘Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you.‘You shall not murder…

Leviticus 19:18

You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD

Luke 10:25–28

And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”…

I lived in Southern California and my friend from seminary, Paul Ford, introduced me to St. Andrew’s Abbey, a Benedictine monastery and retreat center in the high desert.

It became my “go-to” sanctuary for renewal, where I would spend three days a month on retreat. But, let’s just say, unplugging and renewal takes some rewiring.

And speaking of “go-to”—I love re-telling this story, because it grounds me. On my first visit to St. Andrew’s, I met my spiritual director. At lunch we talked, and I told him I would be there for three days, on a “Sabbath Retreat”.

And then, outlined my plans. (You know, you can get a lot done in three days. I had sermons to write, editing on a book, and of course, books to read... I smile still remembering it all.)

We spoke again right after Vespers. And he asked, “How’s your Sabbath Retreat going?”

“I think I failed my Sabbath,” I told him.

He laughed and laughed. A laugh I gratefully carry with me to this day. And it is what spiritual directors are good for, to remind us not to take ourselves too seriously.

“How did you fail?” he asked.

And I told him that after lunch I went back to my room and laid down, for “just a minute”, and the next thing I knew, it was five p.m.

He laughed, and said, “I’m so glad you slept. You rested. You needed that. And while you slept, you’ll be glad to know you were held in the arms of God’s love.” Sabbath Moments