Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Lutheran Seminary's God Pause "Moved by the Promise" for Saturday, 6 September 2014 - "Where True Charity and Love Abide" ELW 6531. We are gathered in the one love of Christ Jesus,
Let us lift our voices to God and be joyful.
In holy wonder let us love the living God.
And my our hearts ever be one in faithful love.
2. Since we are all one in the Lord, as we gather,
Let us be watchful that no strife still divide us.
Contention, envy, ill will, sprite-may these all cease;
With us, abiding in our midst, is Christ our God.
3. All surrounded by the blest saints, we shall see you
Face to face in glory and light, O Christ Jesus.
With holy joy far beyond thought we shall be full,
From age to age, world without even, forevermore.
These ancient words of love and generosity still resonate with us deeply in the 21st century. This is not just a Valentine's Day, "I'll send you a dozen roses and a card" kind of love, but the recognition that love, self-sacrificing love, is the kind of love that accepts us as we are. We have many examples in our culture of the kind of love that requires or expects reciprocity of some kind, but the love that comes from God is the sort of love that demands nothing in return.
It's the type of love that seeks only to fill the other, with no concern for oneself or one's own gain. It is this love from Christ Jesus that binds us all together as one people of God for the sake of filling the world with mercy, compassion and grace. When all people seek to fill each other, everyone is cared for, everyone is included and overflows with "holy joy far beyond thought."
Loving and generous God, you show us how to live with one another through the gift of your son Jesus Christ. May the whole world practice this generosity. We pray for those who do not have enough food, a warm home, clothing, medical care or a caring community. May we dare to enter into those unpredictable places for the sake of your people and to witness to your promises of presence, love and mercy for all today and tomorrow. Amen.
Brigett Weier
Englewood, Colo.
Master of Divinity , 2012
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