Hello,
I recorded St. James’ worship service on Wednesday afternoon, before our nation was being shredded by the hatred and violence that boiled over because of injustice.
When evil raises its ugly head and starts to feast upon our world, one way that many deal with that evil is to respond in a defensive manner, saying, “Its not my fault.” Blame is placed on others. Shields of self-righteousness claims are raised, “I am not racist.” And maybe the worst salvos are launched when some say, “Those people are just getting what they deserve.”
We Lutheran Christians are people who believe that defensive dwelling on fault is not worth our time or energy. It is not that we do not believe there is fault to be had. What we believe, and every Sunday we say it when we begin our worship services, “We confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot save ourselves.” In other words, we confess that we share in that fault. No if, ands, or buts about it. And the reason that we start all of our services with that confession is that pointing fingers of fault is a dead end street, literally. For life to happen, we need to move beyond fault, and into the power of Christ to make a difference in this world.
It is interesting that this upheaval of our world that is being seen in living color on our T.V.’s is happening on the week that we, Christians, celebrate Pentecost. As I spoke red-clad in my sermon that if there is a day in the year that is meant to draw all people together, it is Pentecost. It is a day that God stepped into the world that is prone to divide people because of their differences, and by the power of the Holy Spirit brings people together. And remember, when God brings people together, God does not get rid of those differences, instead God cherishes each person in the wonder of those differences.
As I watched fires rage this past week, I saw the fires of this world at work to tear people apart. As I saw the fire of that first Pentecost sweep through Jerusalem, I saw the fire of God melting people together in God’s love and mercy. Just like metals that are heated together and bring greater strength, Pentecost is a day when we see that God is at work to make an alloy of Grace that can stand up to the dividing forces of this world.
So, what can you and I, Pentecost people, do about the shredding of our world that is happening all around us. Well, it seems to me clear that we need to step out of defensive hole of faulting and blame, and step into the world with the power of God’s uniting Spirit. Today, I invite you to throw your stone of Grace into your corner of the world, and watch it move into the world with ripples of healing and care. When someone comes up to you who is caught in defensiveness and blame, you can draw upon the power of Pentecost and say, “Well, there’s blame enough to share. I am determined to move forward from blame into actions of love with a heart of love.” And on this Pentecost Sunday we see that God gives us more than enough power to do that.
Let us pray,
God of grace and mercy, pour out upon us the Spirit of your love. Empower us to be so emblazoned by your love so that with every person we encounter, an alloy that bears the strength of Christ’s love might unite us and hold us together. In Christ’s name. Amen.
God’s grace and peace, (ggap)
Pastor Jerry Nuernberger
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