Today Peter encourages us to imitate Jesus under every trial or form of oppression. While Jesus’ crucifixion will not shield us from trials, his Spirit will accompany us always.
Jesus’ Justice is given through the promise he gave, and he is faithful. So it is that our justice is shown in our own fidelity to others.We belong to one another, bound by the love given us!
How do you account for the hope that is in you?
Peter’s admonishment that we ought to ‘live above reproach’ was strategic; for doing so may attract followers – and our witness of love and justice just might give pause to those who would persecute believers.
Tragically, that didn’t work out for Renee Good or Alex Pretti, nor for the very long list of martyrs through the ages to today..
Yet we are told not to fear: we are to respond, as did they, with compassion and mercy, regardless of the risk. How did the love of our neighbor get so dangerous?? How can we turn it around?
John’s Gospel was written in the early Age of Empire, the backdrop of the Johannine community. Jesus’ radical love had threatened the Roman Empire and the religious establishment so profoundly, that they subjected him to their ultimate punishment: “Submit yourself to imperial law and order! Renounce your challenge to the emperor, or die.” They hadn’t counted on the Spirit of Jesus coming alive among his followers!
In the year 313CE Emperor Constantine chose to co-opt the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth and “institutionalized” Christianity. Believers would no longer be persecuted, but in a short time, men of the empire controlled the narrative of Church teachings and practice.
From then on, the seizing of wealth through the conquest of peoples, lands, and commodities from food to precious gems, minerals and labor – and much more – have been justified by Empire. Its early warriors wore the Cross as first they plundered Europe.
Now, 1600 years later, those who we might call ‘Religious Nationalists’ follow that trail of masquerade and theft to amass incalculable riches.False promises of “a better life” by those we trust with our votes have proven a lie.
Money is taken not only from citizens by the manipulation of the economy, but also funds that had been dedicated for the common good, are now squandered for capricious wars. It is on all of us to expose and oppose the plundering of our nation, its peoples and the environment .Donald Trump’s “Faith” advisor has stated that “Saying no to Trump would be saying no to God.”
The cross is once again manipulated to create confusion for the struggling, and bilk them of their meager savings, while perpetuating false promises of prosperity. Reliable surveys show that three fourths of American Protestants believe that God wants them to prosper financially, and half of those believe they will be blessed for giving more money to their church and its charities. ? This is not the faith passed on to us!
We can be grateful that the Benedictine Women ask only for their stability, and the Monastery for staffing, maintenance – and volunteers!
Diane Bergant, Agnesion sister and one of my Scripture professors, taught John’s throughline of Love and Obedience in this Gospel. It is a Demanding love, a self-sacrificing love. For John, to Obey means To Listen; and Obedience is the consequence of Love. We are to hear the cries of the people, and the earth, and be healers.
We hope, not because we are trusting ourselves, but because we follow a trustworthy God. One who enables us to live in this world, confident that the promises of Jesus are being fulfilled here and now. For in fact, it is precisely such living: listening and loving, that fulfills them.
Jesus fed the hungry, healed the sick, and befriended outcasts – valuing each, and lifting them up with compassion.
Now Jesus’ Spirit, abiding in us, instructs that none are to be lost: not the broken, the stranger, the addict, the imprisoned, nor anyone else; Not because we are always ‘feeling it’, but because love and hope run deeper.
Commissioned through Baptism or other stirrings of the heart, we are called to form inclusive communities anchored in love, and fed by hope.
So here’s the challenge, or perhaps a training: What Do You Say when someone asks you to account for the hope in you?
A few years ago, an early morning chance encounter and brief chat led an acquaintance to confront me with “But howcan you see what’s happening, and still have hope?
What would you say?? Take a moment to ponder that.
Some of you may not wish to share at this moment, but if you do, I encourage you to account for your hope, very briefly, with someone seated near you….Let’s do that now!
Thank you. I hope you experienced “gentleness and reverence” as Peter wrote. Maybe you’ll revise your answer later, but always be ready!
The great news of Easter has liberated God’s people from fear, freed us to be loving in daring and transforming ways. “Eager to do what is good”, as Peter states.
The joy we know when gathered in this worship community is increased when we engage beyond it. When we show up, speak out, feed and protect the vulnerable, we contribute to the liberation of God’s beloved.
Spread the Word: Christ is alive among us, Alleluia!
We welcome your comments on our blog posts below. All comments are reviewed manually before they appear on our website to maintain a respectful, safe, relevant discussion and to filter out spam. Comments usually appear within 24 hours, Monday-Friday.