Unfailing Spirit of Love

An Unfailing Spirit of Love

Psalm 66:8-20; John 14:15-24

Pentecost is coming: The gospel reading today is preparing us for the outpouring of the Spirit. But before the Spirit is unleashed, Jesus has to leave, a second time. So, today, the passage is taken from the part of John's Gospel just before Jesus is arrested and crucified. Jesus is preparing the disciples for his departure. His words are as meaningful, perhaps more meaningful, in anticipation of his Ascension.

Reading: John 14:15-26

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

Recently, I met a man in a nursing home. He was, by all accounts, rather brilliant. His mind is still sharp and clear, even though his body is failing, terribly. He had been an intellectual and a scientist. For him, there was little room for superstitious things like religion. In life, in general, and particularly in the nursing home, he observed people around him who wore their religion like a badge. They would greet you with words of blessing, but if you didn’t do things their way, they could also “bless you out.” We see it, all the time. People who are quick to publicly profess their faith, who speak pious platitudes, but whose lives betray priorities that are quite different from what Jesus taught. For this scientist who is now in a nursing home and dependent on the good will of others, the absence of good will from those who profess Jesus simply reinforces his notion that it is nothing more than superstition.

Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

The Dangers of Being A Royal Priesthood

The Dangers of Being a Royal Priesthood

OR

Being a Royal Priesthood Can Be a Royal Pain

Psalm 31:1-5,15-16; 1 Peter 2:2-10

Last year I was fortunate enough to have found some health problems through routine checkups. That meant I was able to avert having more serious problems later on. It also means that I have become more aware of the benefits of regular check ups. So last month I went to my primary physician for an annual physical. As important as it is to do, I will admit that there is something a little disconcerting about the experience. Maybe you know what I am talking about.

First, you are ushered to a little room by a medical technician, some one who checks a few vitals. Her primary purpose isn’t the vitals, though. She pulls out the hospital gown and the paper sheet and instructs you to take off all of your clothes, put on the gown that opens in the back, and you can use the sheet for a little extra cover. “And doctor will be in shortly.”

A Shepherd of Abundance

A Shepherd of Abundance

Psalm 23; Acts 2:42-47;  John 10:1-10

Recently I ran across a story of a rich beggar. Of course, we think of beggars as being people who have circumstances that have left them poor, without resources, and they find that seeking the generosity, or the pittances of others enables them to have food to eat. Well, there was once this beggar who was indeed poor. Due to injuries and the stigmas he carried in his village, he found that he was unable to make any meaningful money, so he had to beg. He also prayed. Regularly, he prayed for the means to live  so that he would not need to beg. One day, he was visited by a messenger who carried a special bag.