The greatest gift we can give someone in need is to create a world where they are no longer in need. Let me say that again: The greatest gift we can give someone in need is to create a world where they are no longer in need. What do you think? Do you agree with this statement?
What does this look like? What would it look like to create a world where we no longer needed to have a clothing cupboard? What would be needed in society to ensure people had clothing and didn’t need to get it from us?
(jobs, basic income, education)
What can we do to help create a world where people have what they need to survive and thrive? (vote, hold elected officials accountable, support equitable systems) Why should we be working to this end? (4th Mark of Mission is to transform unjust structures, challenge violence of every kind, and pursue peace and reconciliation)
When asked: "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" (Jesus) said to (them), "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
All the law and the prophets are summarised in these two points – love God and love neighbour. Think about it. Who remembers the Ten Commandments? (See page 250 in the BAS for help) If you truly love God and love neighbour, you are doing what is right and good. If you love God and love neighbour you want for neighbour what you have for yourself, that includes transforming unjust structures, challenging violence, and pursuing peace. If you love God and love neighbour, you want God’s Beloved children and God’s Beloved Creation to survive and thrive.
It doesn’t have to be complicated. We don’t need massive law books. If we look at things with the eyes of love, just as God keeps looking at us with the eyes of love, we will continually know what is right and good.
There is no face in this world that we can look upon that God does not already love. What happens when we act as though we know that? What happens when we vote remembering that? How does our love for God change how we show love for each other and for Creation?
May we continually seek to embody love trusting that God’s love is abundant and challenges us in ways that can transform this world beyond what we can ask or imagine. This we pray as we sing: (VT) 36 Let Us Build a House