Matthew 5:43-48
So this little sweet potato comes home and says she's in love and wants to marry this big spud and have a load of their own tater-tots. Well, in this well to do Idaho potato family, the immediate question was what he did for a living. The sweet potato said, he's a newscaster. Well, said the parents, we won't have you involved with him, he's just a common-tater! I know, don't give up your day job.
Who is it we look down on? I like to think I am inclusive and pretty far left. I reserve my conservatism to being a faithful, loving spouse and father. I will admit though I look down on many people. Ironically, mostly the people who think they are higher ups. You've probably already noted my disdain for the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic church or Bible thumpers that quote bible and verse and believe it is God's actual words without fault or interpretation. So I am not talking down to anyone here. I am no better (or worse, I hope) than the next person.
How are we to love everyone, even the one's that make our blood boil when they speak? Or people that seem so stupid you wonder what God has in mind? or if those people even have a mind! Yet we are called to love everyone because God loves everyone. What does God see or know that we don't? A whole heck of a lot I think. Can we agree to disagree? Can we respect someone's right to be wrong, or what we think is wrong? Can we acknowledge someone's own journey to wholeness or the possibility of conversion? If we are Christian in any sense of the word we darn well better believe in conversion.
If we truly want to emulate Christ we will need to expand our horizons and step out of our comfort zones. Jesus was the exemplar of stepping out, engaging everyone, especially those that he was told he shouldn't. If we truly want to live this Gospel message, we'd better make a sincere effort to find a way to love everyone. That means respect everyone and be cordial and loving to everyone.
So this little sweet potato comes home and says she's in love and wants to marry this big spud and have a load of their own tater-tots. Well, in this well to do Idaho potato family, the immediate question was what he did for a living. The sweet potato said, he's a newscaster. Well, said the parents, we won't have you involved with him, he's just a common-tater! I know, don't give up your day job.
Who is it we look down on? I like to think I am inclusive and pretty far left. I reserve my conservatism to being a faithful, loving spouse and father. I will admit though I look down on many people. Ironically, mostly the people who think they are higher ups. You've probably already noted my disdain for the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic church or Bible thumpers that quote bible and verse and believe it is God's actual words without fault or interpretation. So I am not talking down to anyone here. I am no better (or worse, I hope) than the next person.
How are we to love everyone, even the one's that make our blood boil when they speak? Or people that seem so stupid you wonder what God has in mind? or if those people even have a mind! Yet we are called to love everyone because God loves everyone. What does God see or know that we don't? A whole heck of a lot I think. Can we agree to disagree? Can we respect someone's right to be wrong, or what we think is wrong? Can we acknowledge someone's own journey to wholeness or the possibility of conversion? If we are Christian in any sense of the word we darn well better believe in conversion.
If we truly want to emulate Christ we will need to expand our horizons and step out of our comfort zones. Jesus was the exemplar of stepping out, engaging everyone, especially those that he was told he shouldn't. If we truly want to live this Gospel message, we'd better make a sincere effort to find a way to love everyone. That means respect everyone and be cordial and loving to everyone.
‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
No comments:
Post a Comment