FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2024 - FAITH AND ACTION

 FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2024 - SPIRITUAL THOUGHTS

Looking at last week’s Common Lectionary readings, we had this from 2 Corinthians 12:

“Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me,

but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,

for power is made perfect in weakness.”

I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses,

so that the power of Christ may dwell with me.

Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults,

hardships, persecutions, and constraints,

for the sake of Christ; When I am weak, I am strong.”

HOLD IT!!!

I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints. 

Yup - insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints. And I suppose I’m to “turn the other cheek”? “Go the extra mile?”

I am to be loving, sociable, merciful, patient, kind, forgiving - right? And now I’m told there will be weaknesses, insults, and hardships? It’s a lot to grapple with, isn’t it? 

Maybe I don’t like this Christianity much?

Let’s see, I want a life of ease - maybe like Solomon with his 700 wives. He could sit under a gentle palm tree and have sex (that must have been his exercise with 700 wives). Maybe he ate chocolate and sipped champagne all day long.

*****

That isn’t the way (at least as I see it). LOVE WINS

Matthew 5:43-45

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven”. 

Love my enemies? Put up with weaknesses and hardships? And … smile all the time?

*****

Okay - I’ll try.  

I think I’ve put myself in that position. Humility - turn the other cheek. It seems so foreign.

Do I need to crawl on my knees to a particular shrine? Do I need to beat myself with little whips to be deeply spiritual? 

Should I invite some homeless people in my community to share my apartment? Should I feed them? 

*****

‘Well maybe 

Maybe I’m to LOVE MY NEIGHBORS. Perhaps I’m to love the seniors in the nursing home that I go to. Maybe I’m proclaiming that Love Wins.  

James 2:14 states, “Faith without words is dead.” I can talk and proclaim faith, but I must also live it. 

Oh well - I have to “walk the walk” and “talk the talk.”

LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS

Karen Anne White, July 12, 2024