5th Easter - Command to Love
Salvation...it’s not necessarily about us getting into heaven, but about us, working for God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, to bring heaven here on earth.
Salvation transforms us, so that as God’s children, we transform the world.
When God’s ways thrive in this world, there is God’s glory.
Were any of us struck by this Gospel passage?
It starts off with Judas’ departure… and we know he is going to arrange the betrayal of Jesus.
Judas then becomes the catalyst for Jesus’ arrest and betrayal.
Judas symbolizes the sinfulness of humanity; those who wish to create a world of their own making, in their own image;
a world based on their own power, their own money, their own ideas.
Judas becomes the symbol of selfishness, self-centeredness.
We have liturgical ministries such as lectors, eucharistic ministers, altar servers, ushers, sacristans, choir, and of course, priest and deacons.
All ministry needs to be rooted in Love: that conscious choice to see good in the person in front of us, in our own selves.
Salvation transforms us, so that as God’s children, we transform the world.
When God’s ways thrive in this world, there is God’s glory.
Were any of us struck by this Gospel passage?
It starts off with Judas’ departure… and we know he is going to arrange the betrayal of Jesus.
Judas then becomes the catalyst for Jesus’ arrest and betrayal.
Judas symbolizes the sinfulness of humanity; those who wish to create a world of their own making, in their own image;
a world based on their own power, their own money, their own ideas.
Judas becomes the symbol of selfishness, self-centeredness.
Jesus, in his death and resurrection, exposes this sin.
Jesus reveals God’s way, God’s kingdom...reveals God’s glory.
A God of justice, compassion, mercy. A God of utter humility.
God, who does not wish to punish, nor condemn, but only to raise up.
In other words, God’s glory is God’s love of all of creation.
Jesus reveals God’s way, God’s kingdom...reveals God’s glory.
A God of justice, compassion, mercy. A God of utter humility.
God, who does not wish to punish, nor condemn, but only to raise up.
In other words, God’s glory is God’s love of all of creation.
Think about the word and the concept “Ministry”
Here in our parish we say we have various ministries.
In our diocese, we say have have various ministries.
We just completed another cohort of lay leaders for ministry; people who were trained to grow their respective ministry.
Here in our parish we say we have various ministries.
In our diocese, we say have have various ministries.
We just completed another cohort of lay leaders for ministry; people who were trained to grow their respective ministry.
What is the root of ministry?
We have liturgical ministries such as lectors, eucharistic ministers, altar servers, ushers, sacristans, choir, and of course, priest and deacons.
We have ministries to serve those in nursing homes, those who are struggling financially, those who are dying, those who are preparing for marriage, those who are preparing to celebrate the sacraments of first communion and confirmation
Throughout our diocese there are ministries to those in prison, those who are in the hospital, those who are struggling with addictions, and others.
What is the root of ministry? What keeps ministry from being merely a job, a function, an office; and keeps it being something more?
Throughout our diocese there are ministries to those in prison, those who are in the hospital, those who are struggling with addictions, and others.
What is the root of ministry? What keeps ministry from being merely a job, a function, an office; and keeps it being something more?
It is that command of Jesus: Love.
All ministry needs to be rooted in Love: that conscious choice to see good in the person in front of us, in our own selves.
Love impels us to serve others, so that they too will know that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The heart of ministry must be love.
Wrap our minds and hearts around that for a second.
See, by virtue of our baptism, by celebrating the reality that we are God’s children, created in the image of God, therefore created in Love, our very lives are designed and intended to be that of ministry.
We don’t need the parish per se to formalize a ministry.
Ministry, when rooted in love, transforms our lives.
Parenthood is about ministering to children, helping them transform into the fullness of children of God.
Friendship is a ministry of Love.
The heart of ministry must be love.
Wrap our minds and hearts around that for a second.
See, by virtue of our baptism, by celebrating the reality that we are God’s children, created in the image of God, therefore created in Love, our very lives are designed and intended to be that of ministry.
We don’t need the parish per se to formalize a ministry.
Ministry, when rooted in love, transforms our lives.
Parenthood is about ministering to children, helping them transform into the fullness of children of God.
Friendship is a ministry of Love.
Processing our anger in healthy ways, and not venting, or road raging, or other unhealthy manners, becomes an expression of love.
Generosity becomes an exercise of ministry, an exercise of love.
Patience, compassion, mercy…
Whenever and wherever we go beyond our own self-interest, our own self-protection, our own wants and desires, and give for another...that is an act of ministry, and act of love.
Love also ensures that the more “official” ministris remain centered in God and NOT in our own egos; that the “official” ministries just don’t become jobs or functions, or what we HAVE to Do, but really become and stay as acts of love for others.
Love Transforms.
I have seen people change when they are treated with respect and care.
Patience, compassion, mercy…
Whenever and wherever we go beyond our own self-interest, our own self-protection, our own wants and desires, and give for another...that is an act of ministry, and act of love.
Love also ensures that the more “official” ministris remain centered in God and NOT in our own egos; that the “official” ministries just don’t become jobs or functions, or what we HAVE to Do, but really become and stay as acts of love for others.
Love Transforms.
I have seen people change when they are treated with respect and care.
I know of a child who was conceived unexpectedly, yet the mother had the courage to maintain the pregnancy and then give of her child for adoption to a family unable to conceive. Life was given on so many levels.
Addicts who were freed because they took that first step to believe in that higher power of love, that they were good…And there were people to walk with them.
Marriages in trouble changed when husbands and wives ministered to each other.
Our own environment being cleaned when people see the good of it and wish it to be healthy.
Love transforms the bread and wine, into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. An amazing miracle, so subtle.
Love will transform us and the world.
Love is what unites heaven with earth.
That is why it is “commanded”.
How is it being lived within us?
Addicts who were freed because they took that first step to believe in that higher power of love, that they were good…And there were people to walk with them.
Marriages in trouble changed when husbands and wives ministered to each other.
Our own environment being cleaned when people see the good of it and wish it to be healthy.
Love transforms the bread and wine, into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. An amazing miracle, so subtle.
Love will transform us and the world.
Love is what unites heaven with earth.
That is why it is “commanded”.
How is it being lived within us?
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