(I haven’t been in the habit of repeating posts, but I felt moved to repost this communion meditation that I wrote last year—Tim)
These days of September are a time of remembering in the United States, remembering loss, remembering man’s inhumanity toward man. For some it’s a time of anger, for others a renewal of a call for vengeance. For most, it’s a time of wondering how things can come to such a point.
September 11 was, for many, the first real reminder since the end of the Cold War that there are people in this world who consider us as enemies. Not limiting their anger to the U.S. military or the U.S. government, they vowed to strike at the citizenry itself. Enmity became a part of our lives.
So what do we do with Jesus’ call to love our enemies? How can that be lived out? It’s not easy, but at least we had someone show us the way:
“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” (Romans 5:6-11) “While we were enemies,” Paul says. How would Jesus treat his enemies? He’s already shown us, by dying on the cross.
This supper is a reminder of what Jesus did for his enemies, of how God loves his enemies. It is a call to us to live out the same kind of love, to enemy and friend, to alien and brother, to all men. If any would consider us an enemy, may it not be because of anything that we have done. May we be seen as people of the reconciliation, people of peace, people of love. People of God.
“These days of September are a time of remembering in the United States, ”
That may well be, but is that what God wants, he not only forgives sins, he forgets them, I know we are not God, but we are to strive to become more like him, and as long as we keep reminding people every year, it is hard to forget. It is harder to become more like God.
It is fine to remember loved ones lost, but not to agitate old fears and anger.
No repeat for me..lol.. this time last year I hadn’t found your blog yet. Good post and reminder. It is difficult to love others unconditionally no matter the category in which they reside in our lives. I believe as one grows in their walk with the Spirit it becomes a little easier to do. Time, patience, and love will conquer.
Journeying with you……Trent
Well said Tim
We do need to pray for our enemies and on days like today, that is even harder to do than normal. Normal conditions can be tough at times as we all know.
I pray as well for our Governing authorities and am thankful for them and that they have the authority to yield the sword of punishment for those that are evil and does wrong such as occured
on 09/11/2001
Romans 13
Obey Those in Authority
1 All of you must be willing to obey completely those who rule over you. There are no authorities except the ones God has chosen. Those who now rule have been chosen by God. 2 So when you oppose the authorities, you are opposing those whom God has appointed. Those who do that will be judged.
3 If you do what is right, you won’t need to be afraid of your rulers. But watch out if you do what is wrong! You don’t want to be afraid of those in authority, do you? Then do what is right. The one in authority will praise you. 4 He serves God and will do you good. But if you do wrong, watch out! The ruler doesn’t carry a sword for no reason at all. He serves God. And God is carrying out his anger through him. The ruler punishes anyone who does wrong.
5 You must obey the authorities. Then you will not be punished. You must also obey them because you know it is right.
6 That’s also why you pay taxes. The authorities serve God. Ruling takes up all their time. 7 Give to everyone what you owe. Do you owe taxes? Then pay them. Do you owe anything else to the government? Then pay it. Do you owe respect? Then give it. Do you owe honor? Then show it.
Grace and peace Clay