Exploring the Way of Love
“I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. ”
If I am honest, I can find it rather daunting to live out my faith in a way that reflects the ethics and values I hold. In a world that is so broken and with so many needs, there are moments where I find it overwhelming to respond to the constant onslaught of challenges. How can I truly live out my faith in a way that models the promises I have made and were made on my behalf at my Baptism? I often wonder, how can I truly live as a Christian? What does this look like? Is it years of learning and putting into practice how to actually be a Christian?
While I try not to make too many assumptions as to where people are, I suspect I am not alone. Even with years of theological education and working in the church, I forget sometimes the simplicity in the instructions to follow Jesus. This doesn’t mean that the call to follow is easy, but maybe the method for how to live our lives is somewhat simple. Remember it was Jesus who reduced all of God's commandments to love of God and love of neighbor.
For this reason, I find great hope in our Presiding Bishop’s imperative to explore the way of love. Bishop Curry has offered us seven simple practices for a Jesus-Centered Life. He reminds us that following Jesus is not a life of formal theological education or a list of thousands of rules to follow. Instead, he offers us seven simple practices. What a refreshing way of thinking about our life and faith! You can watch his invitation here. He has invited us to do the following:
· Turn: Pause, listen and choose to follow Jesus
· Learn: Reflect on Scripture each day, especially on Jesus’ life and teachings
· Pray: Dwell intentionally with God daily
· Worship: Gather in community weekly to thank, praise, and dwell with God
· Bless: Share faith and unselfishly give and serve
· Go: Cross boundaries, listen deeply, and live like Jesus
· Rest: Receive the gift of God’s grace, peace, and restoration
Over the course of our program year for 2018-2019, we will be exploring the Way of Love. With the help of the Episcopal Church we have created some downloadable resources for you. You can click above on each of the seven principles to download a 5x7 prayer and reflection card. I hope you will find Bishop Curry’s invitation filled with hope, one answer among many for how to live out a life rooted in the love of Jesus of Nazareth. It is a simple way to be, and yet deeply profound. Join us at Saint Stephen’s as we explore the Way of Love this year.
Faithfully,
John+