By Our Love

In case you missed it this week, the Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops released this statement calling for love, unity, and support for one another during this time in our history. 

They quote John 13:34-35, which says: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” This line in John’s gospel comes not too long after Jesus washes the disciples’ feet. Jesus is showing his compassion and love for the disciples in the way he serves them. 

Jesus was showing the way that we out to treat one another. In becoming a servant, he showed the disciples – and us – that no one is above any other and that, in order to serve humbly, we must take humble steps. 

As the world around us is shifting, your clergy are talking about how they have stood – and will continue to stand – with those on the margins. As followers of Jesus and as United Methodists walking in the world, we are called to do more than follow the law. We are called to love. 

If the law does not lead to love, I am prepared to push back on that law. The thing about being persons who follow the new commandment of Christ is that we are all meant to push back on things that do not lead to love. 

“What does love look like in this time?” you ask. 

Excellent question. 

That is a question that can likely only be answered for each of us on an individual level. I invite you to wrestle with that question as Jacob wrestled the angel, putting into play the “what ifs” and the “but onlys” to find the place where you soul is at rest with the actions you are taking. 

Collectively, as United Methodists, we continue to look to our social principles as the piece that guides us along the way. As persons of faith, and as United Methodists in particular, we look to our social creed to guide us. It is lengthy, but I still want to share it with you: 

We believe in God, Creator of the world; and in Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of creation. We believe in the Holy Spirit, through whom we acknowledge God’s gifts, and we repent of our sin in misusing these gifts to idolatrous ends. 
We affirm the natural world as God’s handiwork and dedicate ourselves to its preservation, enhancement, and faithful use by humankind. 
We joyfully receive for ourselves and others the blessings of community, sexuality, marriage, and the family. 
We commit ourselves to the rights of men, women, children, youth, young adults, the aging, and people with disabilities; to improvement of the quality of life; and to the rights and dignity of all persons. 
We believe in the right and duty of persons to work for the glory of God and the good of themselves and others and in the protection of their welfare in so doing; in the rights to property as a trust from God, collective bargaining, and responsible consumptionl and in the elimination of economic and social distress. We dedicate ourselves to peace throughout the world, and to the rule of justice and law among nations, and to individual freedom for all people of the world.  
We believe in the present and final triumph of God’s Word in human affairs and gladly accept our commission to manifest the life of the gospel in the world. Amen. 

-Social Principles of the United Methodist Church 2020/2024, para. 164, Our Social Creed 

 
As the song says, “They will know we are Christians by our love.” If our actions are not leading us to loving relationship with God, ourselves, and others, how do we expect people to know that we follow the one who washed the disciples’ feet? If we do not show love by standing up to laws that are unjust, how do we expect people to know we follow the one who was resurrected from a cold, dark tomb? If we do not show love by speaking out for the most marginalized in our communities, how do we expect them to know we follow the one who did these things himself? 

In our baptism vows (which you will hear again next week!) we promise to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves. No matter what side of the political aisle you find yourself on, it is our duty as people of faith to find ways to resist evil, injustice, and oppression however they choose to rear their ugly heads in the world. 

If you need any ideas, your clergy are here to brainstorm with you. 

They will know we are Christians by our love. How will you stand up, speak out, and show love in the days that follow? 

Yours in Community, 
Rev. Rachel