the 7th sunday after epiphany
the PRAYER …
O Lord Jesus, make us instruments of your peace, that where there is hatred, we may sow love, where there is injury, pardon, and where there is despair, hope. Grant, O divine master, that we may seek to console, to understand, and to love in your name, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
the READING …
[Jesus said:] “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”
luke 6:27-38
the DEVOTION …
Early on, I learned there are only two things that matter. Christ! And the Cross! They’re the things that determine whether – or not – a group of people is church. Christ and the Cross! Front and center! Where they are, the church is! Where they aren’t, well …
Anyway, over the years, I’ve heard a lot of sermons and read a lot of newsletters that could have been preached and printed by anyone – Christian or nonChristian alike! Luther himself was a big fan of Aesop. Had a passion for collecting fables. But he knew the difference between morals and gospel! Like we should know the difference between goodNews and a long list of shoulds and oughts and musts.
What if, this week, Jesus isn’t so much telling us how we need to live, as he’s telling us how god lives? Loving god’s enemies! Doing good to those who hate god! Blessing those who curse god! Praying for those who abuse god! God turning the other! Going the extra! Doing unto! Sure, we can talk about our responsibilities … eventually! But faith begins with Christ! And believing stays at the Cross!