Thursday, 11 April, 2002

For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; iministry in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. Romans 12:4-8

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Romans 12: 9-13



We need not go beyond the first phrase: Let love be genuine. When love is as genuine as the love God has for us, it is a bright and brilliant as the shining sun because it reflects the glory of God. Within that love there is the basis of the community of Christ. Nothing is greater...nothing can tear down that foundation...nothing. We need not fear what the grace of God brings within our community. What we would do well to consider is how we can come to honor others and make sure that it shows. That doesn't mean that anything goes. It means that all are honored because they like me are beloved of the Lord and residents of the Reign of God....cause that is the way God calls it.



Connection: Listen to the many ways people - even "good Christian people" try to set up limits to where and how the love of God can and does make a people. And then, remember that there is no limit...God will and does welcome all. Unless of course you want to trust something other than the Good News as the ground of who we are and will be.



Praise be to you O Lord for you call us into the loving embrace of your reign and from there we emerge into this day as you "beloved" and with that comes a life of unconditional love that shatters the ways of this world. Alleluia. Amen.