Henri Nouwen wrote:
The Church often wounds us deeply. People with religious authority often wound us by their words, attitudes, and demands. Precisely because our religion brings us in touch with the questions of life and death, our religious sensibilities can get hurt most easily. Ministers and priests seldom fully realize how a critical remark, a gesture of rejection, or an act of impatience can be remembered for life by those to whom it is directed.
There is such an enormous hunger for meaning in life, for comfort and consolation, for forgiveness and reconciliation, for restoration and healing, that anyone who has any authority in the Church should constantly be reminded that the best word to characterize religious authority is compassion. Let's keep looking at Jesus whose authority was expressed in compassion.
As we prepare for the coming election, let us remember that as beloved children of God, we need to strive to walk (and vote) in love; and to not allow any bitterness, divisiveness, or evil intentions to creep into our hearts, our minds, our words, and our actions. [See Ephesians 5:1ff]. We have the opportunity to stand for our beliefs, to influence the direction of our country, and to impact future generations by our choices. But as we do so, let's also remember that we are called to reflect and represent the love of God; and even as we make our stand, we do so in love, gentleness, and always with a heart of reconciliation -- bringing peace to our neighbors by showing and offering them the Peace of God with us... Immanuel.
3 comments:
Robyn, your comments provide a level of peace in an otherwise devisive election. They focus on what we should be doing (and how) rather than on the emotions of the campaigns.
Greg
This is awesome. Thanks for the reminder....I agree we need to be thankful that we CAN vote and have a system that works! And live in a country that is FREE. Well....I'm not in that country but you know what I mean! :)
Thanks Michelle and Greg! This is such an exciting year for voting -- real choices, and a chance to make a real impact, yet, as this election seems to draaaag on it is getting more contentious, and the real issues are getting lost in the rhetoric and sound bites. But, as the Body of Christ, we can choose to recognize opportunities to stand in the gap and offer KINGDOM perspective!
Post a Comment