 Hospitality – early church welcomed the stranger into their homes, made room for them at the table provided shelter for them if they were homeless. We understand God as hospitality. I welcome God, Jesus, Spirit. When I am in that welcoming mode I cannot but be hospitable. That means I also welcome all of creation. I get myself out of the sacristy where everything is orderly and neat and clean and move out into the factory of people’s everyday lives. Jesus washed stinky feet. He knew people’s needs. Jesus is everything that God is in the flesh. John’s Gospel is the story of God relating to humanity. I no longer feel a need to address God as Almighty. God enters into the barnyard of our lives.
What do we mean by passion? How much do I/you believe the story of God’s love for you? Do you allow yourself to be a human being and follower of Jesus? Word was born in a stable. Have we become so clean, we may miss the God in people and event? God laughs, cries, weeps with us. God is in the messiness of our lives. God is willing get down in the ground of our humanity. Read the story of the woman taken in adultery. God/Jesus got down on the ground and broke the cycle of blaming and condemning. God treat us the same way. Our faith journey calls us to come home – not just across the street to our residence but to come home to God.
Am I willing to give myself over to God? How much does God believe in me and humanity? God has a truck load of hope in me and all of humanity. We need to get out of the sacristy and into the factory of people’s lives. I begin to have deep faith, hope and love and it trickles out to others. We are about the Gospel of Jesus. We cannot let our lives be ruled by fear. What the Spirit calls us to do, we must do. Church is often governed by fear. Do we get lost in governance? We need to let ourselves be ravaged by the Gospel imperative. Are we willing to preach justice? How willing am I to become poor?
Jesus said we are all called to be Priest, Prophet, King/Queen. Prophets are called to live at the edge of life. We cannot preach justice without getting crucified somewhere along the way. We breathe in the Spirit- it is not an option. Then we respond to the love of God. When I love I am in control. When I am loved I am more vulnerable. I may be one endless mess but still lovable. God speaks one Word – Jesus. We are to seek union and communion with Jesus. We are not slaves. “This night I call you friends.”.
We are called to become the Word of God, Jesus,the Word made flesh. I need to embody love – also affirmation, acceptance and understanding. Make room in your heart and soul and mind for God to be enfleshed in me/you. Then my life becomes my preaching.
We are friends of Jesus. This will call me to a whole new way of looking at things, people and events. We are the image of God. This trickles down and moves from person to person.
A good Christian giggles a lot. Everything can be an opportunity to make God’s love visible and tangible. Even a coffee break or any other simple event can be preaching.
Hear Jesus calling: ’GET UP. COME, FOLLOW ME.COOPERATE WITH ME. PUT FIRE UNDER YOUR FEET AND COME.” Then we will really preach by the witness of our lives. Embody love, affirmation, acceptance and understanding. If we do, we will have a passion for mission and be empowered by the WORD?
Rise and shine and give God the glory.
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