LOVE is the Thing


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Sunday Scripture Reading:

John 17:20-26 (NRSV)

20 “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one. Read more…

Ephesians 2:14-19 (NRSV)

14 For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. Read more…

Looking to Sunday: Prepare to Hear from God

by Elaine Poproski

As Jesus prepared for the worst weekend of his life – the weekend of his arrest, mock trial, crucifixion, and brutal death – He prayed for His disciples. He prayed for the original group around the table, and He prayed for us. Do you know what He prayed?

He prayed that we would be one.

He prayed that we would be as intimately and completely intertwined with each other as are Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who we call God.

How do you think we’re doing with that?

As you prepare for Sunday, I invite you to imagine a world in which we Christians were known for our unity, for our love, for standing shoulder-to-shoulder with people others say we should hate, but with whom we stand instead in solidarity. Imagine a world in which the Christian voice was predictably the voice of peace rather than division. Imagine if Christians were known for inclusion instead of exclusion, for knocking down walls and barriers between people, instead of building them or maintaining them. Imagine a world in which all Jesus’ disciples earnestly sought to be the realization of Jesus’ prayer that we would be one.

That’s the kind of Christian I want to be.

That’s the kind of Christians I hope Walmer is and will be.

What would it look like? What do we have to do to make it a reality? What do I have to do to make it a reality? What do you have to do to make it a reality?