11-20-24

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
November 20, 2024
Rob Bell, in his wonderful book, “Everything Is Spiritual,” writes about his relationship with his wife. While I appreciate the wonderful portrait of the love he has with his wife, I do not believe it is exclusively love found within a marriage. As he eloquently wrote, 

“There was a giant paradox there, hiding in that love. She didn’t make any demands, but what that did was make me want to be a better person. She loved me exactly as I was, but what that produced in me was a tremendous desire to live up to that love.”

In a world where violence, the threat of violence, or attempts at legal coercion are used to impose certain beliefs, we need to remember how much Jesus trusted love. Even in the Garden of Gethsemane, when he knew what was coming his way, he remained steadfast in his commitment to the way of love. The empty tomb is a symbol of love’s unwavering strength in the face of hatred and authoritarianism.

Lord have mercy! Christ have mercy! Lord, be our strength and hope as we strive to embody the love made real in the life of Jesus. Amen.