We begin with a piece from “Ethics” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
Philippians 1:9 “I pray that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and discernment, that ye may prove the different situations (i.e., what is in each case right)”
In the passage which we have quoted…St. Paul…says that living and increasing in love is the precondition of proving, because to live and to increase in love is to live in reconciliation and unity with God and with (humankind), it is to live the life of Jesus Christ.
The love that abounds is the love that comes to life within a community that is grounded in the love that we know in Christ, Jesus. The community must learn to discern what the will of God is by bringing one another back to the will of God as seen in Jesus. Our conversations cannot be led around by self-satisfying notions of good and evil. We must be led by the Spirit of God that will not settle for simple divisions and judgments. We press on for a unifying truth that brings together those who have been separated and those who live to judge others so that we will be one people. Our proving of what is right for us always goes back to the Christ.
Connection: So what did Jesus do? Therefore, what do we do…how do we step away from our judging to discern what God’s will is in our lives. How does the reality of Love…especially the Love of God for all begin to shape and lead us? That is an everyday question.
By your Spirit take us into this day so that we will remember the love you have for us and the love that becomes the way, the truth and the life for all who are empowered to turn to you, O God. Guide us and lead us. Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment