by Michele Naar-Obed, Oblate 2 Chronicles 36:14-17, 19-23 Ephesians 2:4-10 John 3:14-21
“For God loved the world so much that he gave His only Son so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to be its judge, but to be its savior.” John 3:16-17
When I look at the state of our world, our planet, our nation, our local community, I find it hard to understand how we have been saved. I find it really hard to not get caught up in the suffering, the despair, and the destruction. But then I am reminded of the Resurrection, the transformation, the act that proves that suffering and death do not have the final word.
Understanding this in my head is quite difficult. It’s a little bit easier understanding this transformation in my heart. So I am going to stop speaking out of my head and attempt to sing it from my heart. This song is all about the joy, hope and promise of the Resurrection and the transformation. You can stream the music and sing along at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNche0qs5Xk
There is a Feast by Colleen Fulmer There is a feast with finest grain where the poor and lowly at table reign, Where love is shared, the meal begun. The call is given, yet few children come. Out in the field the battles rage, all with this feasting not far away. All clutching guns, see the children stand, afraid of missiles that destroy the land. I’ll send my servant into this field to bring glad tidings of this holy meal, To draw them gently to the wedding feast, if they drop their weapons, their warring cease. The invitation is now made known, all through the land to all God’s own: Come share this banquet and be made free, and dance together, one family. There is a feast with flowing wine, where every nation can come and dine, And feel no fear, no hatred grown, and reap the peace from justice sown.
“God has made us what we are. And in our union with Jesus, God has created us for a life of good deeds which has already been prepared for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
I’m a firm believer that I was born for this time in history. We’ve got a lot of work to do. A lot of good deeds to accomplish. We’ve got a road map: the Sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes, the Works of Mercy. We CAN reap peace, but not if those deeds are sown from guilt, or pity, or charity. These works really must be sown in justice. If we can do that, then the Resurrection continues, and the transformation from battlefield to feast-for-all is in our reach.
Amen. May it be so.
