24 October 2005

We will move through this week with a look at how love shapes the community of saints. First that will be through Paul Althaus' look at "The Ethics of Martin Luther."

The Christian acts in one way in matters that affect only (his) own person and in another way when (he) fulfils (his) official responsibilities in behalf of others. However, it is one and the same love that works in both realms: and it must act differently, precisely because it is love. (p.77-78)

The radical nature of the love is where we must begin this reflection. In both cases, love prevails. It simply means that how that love is translated must be appropriate for the case at hand. This might be the way that a parent works with two different children. Those kids are both beloved but it may be that the parent embodies quite a different expression of love with each child. So that...the love will be conveyed as strongly and as genuinely as is possible. I would expect that a judge in a courtroom would be able to consider what it is to love the world as one beloved of God. And yet, I want that judge to be able to find a way within the bounds of that court system to see to a proper use of justice, punishment, and mercy. But when a judge simply carries into the courtroom his or her own ideas about what must be an absolute rule of law based on a limited and often personal view on an issue, maybe that judge needs to reexamine what kind of love is really being brought to light. As a pastor, I may want to act in a certain way as a way to be a loving presence to certain members in our congregation, but in the context of the whole community, I must prayerfully contemplate how I am to demonstrate the love of Christ also to a wider and more diverse people.

Connection: Love is not a easy way to go. It is not a sweet journey or a greeting card adventure. It means we must be thinking and praying people who, for the welfare of other, seek first the realm of Christ's love in a world that loves to live on many sides of the road. How will that come to life for you today?!

Be the Lord of Love within the day, O God. Be the One who takes us and leads us and keeps your love fresh in our hearing so that we will have the courage to be a loving presence, however it must be within the common movements of this day. Amen.