1. Love consecrates the humblest act
and haloes mercy's deeds;
it sheds a benediction sweet
and hallows human needs.
2. When in the shadow of the cross
Christ knelt and washed the feet
of his disciples, he gave us
a sign of love complete.
3. Love serves and willing stoops to serve;
what Christ in love so true
has freely done for one and all,
let us now gladly do!
-------
In yesterday's reflection we acknowledged our sin and gave thanks for God's steadfast love. Today, we are invited to join in the response of those who have been forgiven. Joseph's brothers came with one more lie even after their father's death. Yet he forgave them through the power of God's mercy and grace to turn vengeance to love and to restore a broken relationship.
In a world torn asunder by divisions--politics, religion, race, geography, economics, etc.--the witness of scripture is clear. The disciple of Jesus lives because Christ is the lord of the living and the dead. The disciple of Jesus understands, by the gift of faith given by the Holy Spirit, that now we are called to freely do for one and all what Christ has done for us--to tear down walls of division, work for justice and peace, renounce privilege and most of all, serve our neighbor. Let us now gladly do!
Loving God, you freed us so that we might free others. Help us to respond to your freely given grace with lives of discipleship, service and love. Strengthen our resolve to work against forces that might divide us and make enemies of our neighbors, so that we might better love you and serve all in the name of the one who is lord of all, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Bishop Erik Gronberg, '05
Bishop of Northern Louisiana Synod, Argyle, Texas
The Luther Seminary
2481 Como Avenue
St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
Telephone: (651)641-3456-
-------
No comments:
Post a Comment