Clothing ourselves with Christ

 

We seem to live in a world where humility is no longer a virtue, where the goal is attention and personal adulation.  In American politics, there are plenty of examples in every political party.  No one else’s accomplishment is too good to claim for oneself.  No negative situation is too awful or complex to simply blame it on someone else.  No evidence is too strong to counter one’s personal alternative version of reality.  No lie is too big to tell if it serves a purpose.  All is done to gain and maintain power, and to enrich oneself at the expense of others.

In my reflection today, I wonder: Have we, as individuals, as self-professed Christians, and as a nation built on Christian principles, actually clothed ourselves with Christ? (Galatians 3:22-29)

In what ways are we creating a world where “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus”?  Where is this unity and kinship on display?  Where are the prophets calling us to care for the least, the poor, the immigrant, the refugee, the down-trodden, the unemployed, the hungry, and “huddled masses yearning to breathe free”?  In my opinion, neither major political party are truly ‘pro-life’ from conception to natural death.  There may be one or two individuals in either party who are, but if so, they’re silent.

Whether rich or poor, famous or unknown, talented or ordinary, whether popular or not - it doesn't matter what our state in life is - if we choose to listen to the word of God and act upon it, we're blessed. (Luke 11:27-28) Part of listening is hearing properly - that is, spending enough time with the Word so that we know and understand what He says.

Listening isn’t enough though; we must act upon what we hear.  Listening and saying, "Yep, that sounds good," and then turning up the television a little louder, isn't enough.  The Gospel feeds action; specifically, action helping and loving all of God's children.  Communion is the food that supports that action.  We’re fed by His Body and Blood; we’re also fed by His Word.   But to properly "eat" the word, we must put it into action, otherwise it’s the seed that falls on stony ground. (Matthew 13:18-23)

So, if today you hear His voice, harden not your heart (Psalm 95:7-8); respond, even if only a little.  A bud opens a little at a time to become a beautiful flower.

We have an election coming up.  I won’t wade into politics here, other than to advise that we examine ourselves in the strongest possible terms.  We need our votes to reflect the fullness and depth of the Gospel message.  We need to live for a larger purpose and elect those who share that vision, demeanor, morality, and thirst for justice.  We need to fulfill the prayer of Jesus that all may be one (John 17:21).  We need to ensure to the greatest extent we can that our laws and our nation ever more fully share God’s abiding love for all people and bring the Kingdom Jesus preached into being.