23 May 2005

This week we move into chapter two of First Corinthians.

When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God. (1 Cor. 2:1-5)

Conditional love (the way the powers of this world try to love) takes a lot of energy and a lot of work...and...it never reaches the reality of love as we hear and see it in the story of Christ crucified. The mystery of God is that God is completely revealed within the weakness, fear, and trembling of our humanity. Here, right here in the make up of the community, God promises to bring the power of creation and liberation and renewal to all people. There will be no list of proposition to which we must agree. There will be no hoop through which we must jump in order to show that we fit into a correct pattern or method or rule. Paul brought a story of a love that could not be shut up...and therefore he did not shut up. This love - this mysterious love of God - becomes for us the whole foundation upon which we offer ourselves to one another. Within that simple story all his teaching will find its beginning and its eternal rest. In other words, God's action for us will be enough and not another piece is needed to make this news - Good.

Connection: Listen up to what is being said through the lines of religious babble all around us. The freedom and new life promised through Christ, Jesus, most often sounds full of conditions and limits and promises that really only give us what we want - nothing new. Unfortunately, the language of condition is a beloved language to people who cannot trust what God hands over to us in Christ.

Lord Whose Love Stretches Beyond Our Sight, we are so content to live within the bounds of our limited lives. Stretch us and anoint us with your promises so that we will not fear that love you shower upon us in Jesus' name. Amen.