In the Bible, many followers are acknowledged for their faithfulness and suffering, even unto death, for their beliefs. Today, we may not be called to death, but we can still make our lives a witness to the gospel. We can give our lives away to others. By giving to others, we can live more deeply and fully than before; mysteriously renewed in joy.

It is God’s pleasure to give us the kingdom. Jesus calls us to not be afraid and jump into faith with the assurance of God’s promises.

The Parable of the Rich Fool, tells the story of a wealthy landowner whose crops were so abundant that he lacked storage space. He decides to tear down his existing barns and build larger ones to hoard his wealth for his own comfort and enjoyment. However, God calls him a fool.

God has created us in community to care for and lean on one another. When we are more interested in our possessions than our community, we are missing the point. We have been made by God to live together and share, not to be alone with our worldly possessions. Everything belongs to God. Wealth is a dangerous good, that can only remain good when shared.

This week we look at the book of Luke and the story of Jesus visiting Martha and her sister Mary. Martha is busy with hosting responsibilities while Mary sits with Jesus. Jesus acknowledges this and encourages Martha to focus on her spirit rather than the worldly tasks that consume her.

 It is easy to compare the sisters and say one is right, and one is wrong. It is easy to say those who are active should pause and be more contemplative.

But lets look at how our good intentions can sometimes distract us from what really matters. Sometimes we go the wrong way, not by evil intent but by our best intentions.

Take a holy pause. Set down your tasks. And remember the only thing that is necessary: provide a way to love God, each other and your neighbors.

God has given us compassion. He has also given us empathy. The gospel of the Good Samaritan teaches us to love all, regardless of their background or social standing. May we walk in God's love and see all as our neighbor.

There is no qualification to receive God's love. We are made in the image of God; therefore we should share His love openly.

Having loyalty to God and our loyalty to the nation are not identical. How do we navigate this? How do we see God’s perfection as inspiration? We follow Him by loving our neighbor. God cares how we live together and care for one another, but from what we can tell, God’s love for us is equally fierce no matter our nationality. Our primary citizenship is the Kingdom of God.

PLUS NEW BONUS CONTENT

A conversation between Father Eric and Mother Kimberly reflecting on this message. They discuss a hymn we sung, “O God of Every Nation”.

“Keep bright in us the vision of days when war shall cease, when hatred and division give way to love and peace, till dawns the morning glorious when truth and justice reign and Christ shall rule victorious o'er all the world's domain.”

For freedom, Christ has set us free. The way to maintain our liberated lives is to be guided by the Holy Spirit. Our hearts crave God’s message: the way of redemption and freedom can only be found in Christ.

The first followers of Jesus received His gift of the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost. How do we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit today? You may feel an urge to stay restful in safety inside the church. But the Holy Spirit drives us out into the world. The messy, needy world.

As the body of Christ, we must burst out into the streets to bring the good news to those in need. The good news that your value is not based on power. It is based only on God’s love for you, and it is infinite.  There is hope deeper than the grave. God help us, through us to share that hope.

Bonus Content: Reading of Caedmon by Denise Levertov

Late in the Easter season, we look forward to the coming of the Holy Spirit. Our mission in the new age when Jesus is not physically here, we/the church becomes the hands and feet of Jesus.

Jesus told his disciples, “Peace I leave with you. My own peace I give to you...”

What does it mean to have and share the peace of Jesus? It is not calm or indifferent peace. It is peace that sustains us in the face of trauma and fear.

Peace is what results from the promise that God makes a home with us. God will abide with us always through love.