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‘You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not murder”; and “whoever murders shall be liable to judgement.” But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgement; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, “You fool”, you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister (Matthew 5:21-24)
The way of we
We.
This is the most important word for today. Each of us are essential members of
much larger realities—families, congregations, communities, nations,
relationships of all types.
How
we speak and act in these groups affects whether the “we” to which we belong is
a heaven or hell, bane or blessing for ourselves and countless others.
Jesus
calls us to walk the way of we, not
the way of me … that our life
together may be seasoned with the blessing and joy God intends for human
community. He lays out a way for us that is gracious and faithful to God’s
will.
Anger
and hatred must not be indulged. They poison the soul
and rip families, communities and nations apart. They lace arenas of human care
and nurture with bitterness and mistrust.
Measure
words and actions by whether they nurture relationships of mutual care and
concern. Resist the insatiable demands of ego to get your own way, lest your
rights be infringed.
Seek
unity with others. Take the first step to reconcile and make peace where
differences divide. Speak simply and clearly that your words may be trustworthy
and true (and few), avoiding all deception.
You
need not do this to win God’s favor. Christ has already named you blessed,
beloved. Everything that is in him is
yours—overflowing grace, unlimited welcome, unconditional forgiveness, living
water when your heart runs dry, eternal life when you think life is gone. All
yours.
In
Christ, the Holy One is creating a new world, the kingdom of heaven. In this
community of divine love, the blessings of creation and the fullness of God’s favor
are freely shared among everyone and everything.
Walking
the way of Jesus, we are Christ’s partners in this holy endeavor, essential
members of the great We our Lord is
creating.
