Wednesday, January 2, 2002
Feed My Sheep
John 21:15a (LB)
The late Samuel Dewitt Proctor, educator and author, was one
of the Twentieth Century's great preachers. In one of his most
memorable sermons, 'The Recovery of Human Compassion,' he reminded
us, " That we live in a time when many hunger to experience
God's unconditional love and compassion.
Hearing the cries of God 's children, for far too many, is like
listening to a siren wailing on a downtown street at night, or
a barking dog - both are heard but unheeded." We have material
goods beyond what we will ever need or use. Many of us battle
illnesses due to excess. Yet we hunger. Our high tech programs
have reached people around the world, but far too many within
our reach still hunger for simple expressions of kindness, respect
and love. While many find little meaning in traditions of the
church, they search desperately for hope and meaning.
The Christmas Story is the story of God's love for the whole
world. Jesus brought into human experience the ultimate example
of God's love.
The compassion Jesus offers should not be mistaken for quick
little antidotes for the naive and simple-minded. It is not about
using the label 'Christian' to give respectability to our human
schemes and prejudices. The compassion of Jesus is not about
chanting our Christian melodies and celebrating our festivals.
The compassion of Jesus is sharing the love of God with whomever
we meet, unconditionally.
Our culture is ruthless -- it leaves homeless people sleeping
in train stations. Jesus asks, "Do you love me?" Our
culture is violent - it allows death-dealing drugs to exploit
and destroy the poor. Jesus asks, "Do you love me?"
Our culture is cold -- it treats children as though they asked
to be born in less than humane conditions. Jesus asks, "Do
you love me?" Our culture is uncaring -- it penalizes the
indigent aged for growing old and getting sick. Jesus asks, "Do
you love me? Feed my sheep."
Jesus asked Peter, "Peter, do you love me? Feed my sheep."
Today, Jesus continues to ask you and me, "Do you love me?"
Then be a healing refuge - a place where my children rejected
by society are welcomed and made whole. "Do you love me?"
Then really listen as God's children face the pain and suffering
of the past, "Do you love me?" Then really listen as
God's children struggle with the problems of today. As followers
of Jesus, we are called to be living examples of God's love.
Prayer:
"Hope for peace child, God's stupendous
sign, down to earth Child, Star of stars that shine, this year,
this year, let the day arrive when Christmas comes to everyone,
everyone alive." Amen . (Star Child
)
Mary Council-Austin
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