Let Mutual Love Continue: Living as Saints in a Divided World

Beloved friends,

As I considered what to write for “On the Wind,” I was thinking of All Saints Day. I thought of all the saints in this Presbytery, and the gifts of faithful ministry they bring to the work of the church. Many of us think of saints as statues we might see in cathedrals, or long-ago disciples; but we are the saints in the church today. Most of us wouldn’t call ourselves saints, but by definition, in Jesus Christ, we are just that. We are set apart to be God’s holy and beloved people.

So, saints, let’s contemplate what it means to be one of the faithful saints of God. Especially in this election season, how can we demonstrate in daily life that we are followers of Jesus?

I think one set of guidelines that will help us is from Hebrews 13:1, “Let mutual love continue.” Hebrews 13 starts with mutual love, then adds caring for strangers and those in prison, honoring relationships, contentment, faithfulness…these are the marks of Christian life that are visible to everyone. Jesus emphasized, over and over, that we are called to love God and love our neighbor, to let our lives be illustrations of that love, so that when people see our actions, they will give glory to God.

It is possible that by the time you read this, the mid-term elections will be over and the votes will be counted. Some of us will be glad about the outcomes, and others of us will not. There will certainly be all kinds of reactions, news stories, and speculation. The bots and trolls and memes will be all over social media. There will be loud voices proclaiming that “no Christian would vote for this” or for that person. There will be judgments made about who is a Christian and who is not.

Whenever I am tempted to react to something or someone, I try to remember Hebrews 13:1. I remind myself that it is possible to confront evil with love. And I remember what Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said: “Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” It’s said that St. Francis of Assisi said “Preach the gospel at all times; when necessary, use words.” When we do use words, let’s not use them to harm, but to heal. Whatever happens around us, we are still -  first, last, and always - called to be followers of Jesus. We are called to love our neighbors and care for others, even strangers! Let’s be evidence of the love of God in Jesus Christ. Let’s live like the saints. Hopefully, they will know we are Christians by our love.

Let mutual love continue.

Peace, Christina