05-04-25

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
May 4, 2025
I remember one of the youth at a church camp years ago saying, “How long do you think God has been trying to teach us to love one another?” This young man was implying that God had a lot of patience. I thought his comments were quite insightful. The development of faith has been an interesting journey throughout the centuries, but amidst all the rituals and ceremonial laws, there is the underlying and foundational idea of love. The rituals and laws can be helpful in communicating and teaching about the importance of love, but if at any point the rules or rituals slide into that foundational piece of faith, then we have lost our way. And of course, we have lost our way more than once. The good news for us all is that God remains patient—not only loving us, but showing us again the importance of living in that love.

Teach us again your simple and straightforward message of love, O Lord. Teach us as if we don’t understand because it appears that we don’t always understand. Amen.