This Lent we are looking at the Baptismal Covenant in the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer to see how we can more fully live as Followers of Christ and the love of God. We’ve seen that fellowship is helpful and that we often need to repent and change our life’s direction. Jesus told his disciples, 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. (John 13:34-35)
The third question asked of everyone present at a baptism
is: “Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?” Some
would insist that means we have to go around waving John 3:16 banners or forcing
everyone to believe in exactly the way we do. It’s far to easy to think that
proclaiming the Good News means ‘my faith is the only right one and if you
don’t believe like me, you are wrong and maybe even damned.’
What if we expanded our understanding of the Good News to be
more inclusive and loving? Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal
Church is fond of saying, “If it’s not about love, it’s not about God.”
Love is complex, as 1 Corinthians 13 notes, “If I speak
in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy
gong or a clanging cymbal…Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious
or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is
not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in
the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures
all things. (1 Cor. 13:1-7)
The desire to proclaim Good News in grand ways is very
human. We want to be noticed and affirmed. However, St. Paul’s letter reminds
us that love is both simpler and harder than signs and wonders. He says, now
faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love. (1
Cor. 13:13)
Proclaiming the Good News in Love is complex. Sometimes,
proclaiming the Good News involves standing up to authority, or standing with
the disenfranchised. The Gospel this week tells of Jesus casting out the
merchants in the Temple. Angrily, he stormed, take these things out of here!
Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace! (John 2:16)
More often, sharing “by word and example” is found in encouragement or helpfulness or compassion. Maybe it’s sharing an uplifting image or quote on social media or joining in a celebration. It could be a smile or hug or note for someone who is sad or hurting or lonely. Perhaps it’s recognizing the unsung accomplishments of a neighbor.
What first comes to mind when you hear “Proclaim by
word and example the Good News of God in Christ”?
How might you share the Good News of God’s love this
week?
Who needs to hear of God’s love?
