Jesus tells us that when we proclaim him, when we proclaim God, in the communities where we live, and further afield, Jesus will speak for us with the Father. The Father and Son are one in the Spirit.
There is no getting away from Jesus’ call for us to play our part in developing and deepening God’s reign of love.
Each of our roles as the Body of Christ is significant. Our part is to convey to others that they are valuable and lovable beyond all counting in God’s eyes. God longs for us all to freely say our ‘yes’ to the invitation to be united with each other and with the one who is eternal life. We all belong.
The one who disowns Jesus is given free choice to make that decision; love, after all, cannot be forced but needs to be freely
given. We could see the ‘disowning’ by Jesus as a challenge, a little nudge to take the next step, or even consider who Jesus is, who God is for us. Will we heed the nudge?
Every time God forgives sin, and we know that God is utterly compassionate and merciful, God is saying that relationship is more important than rules. Our relationship with God is not one of law or duty, but one of the heart. We love God and express this
in loving others. We hear Paul say, “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim.”(Romans 10:8) For our lips to preach, our hearts need to hold, or better, well up with love of God. We are called to share our love and our lives with others. We are called to set aside fear and participate in God’s creation; to be co-creators with God.
What does my love of God look like? Has it changed over the years? How would I like it to be?
With God’s grace, what am I ready to declare, be, and do that will give the message that our God of love calls everyone?
