the fifth sunday of easter
the PRAYER. . .
O Lord God, you teach us that without love, our actions gain nothing. Pour into our hearts your most excellent gift of love, that, made alive by your Spirit, we may know goodness and peace, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
the READING. . .
[When Judas had gone out, Jesus said,] “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
the DEVOTION. . .
“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!” That was one of the songs we sang during the synod assembly, last month. As voting delegates, we loved it! We sang with gusto! Some even knew the gestures that went with the words! But somewhere along the way, I started having my doubts …
You see, I don’t think I can do that! LET that little light shine, I mean. Light – little or big – simply shines! That’s what light does! If it doesn’t, it’s not light! It’s like what John sings at the beginning of his gospel: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it!” The darkness didn’t dim it! The darkness didn’t put it out! And neither can I! Light is light and light shines! Period!
And love is a lot like that. Love isn’t a choice. It’s not a decision. Jesus isn’t telling his disciples, “Allow your light to shine. Give it permission to shine.” He’s saying love is love! And love does what loves does! It just loves! Naturally! Automatically! The Father loves! The Son loves! And now, so do we! It’s second nature! And no one – no one and nothing – can stop it! This little light of mine? It’s gonna shine, whether I want it to or not! And the same goes for love!
Bob Barndt, pastor