Let it begin here, now, with me.
The Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 22, 2022
Acts 16:9-15 • Psalm 67 • Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5 • John 14:23-29
How many of you remember the stories about the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets in Romeo and Juliet? Or perhaps the Sharks and the Jets in Westside Story? To get closer to the present, maybe the gang rivalries in Godfather, Parts I, II or III? In each of these stories, violence begets violence. In so many of these stories, I am struck by how many deaths must take place before people finally get the message. As you watch the various ways that vengeance is taken, you simply ask yourself where it will all end.
Now, with all that has happened in Buffalo last week it is very easy to let oneself drift into judgment; after all, it’s only human. Well, (pause) being “only human” has led to many situations that have gotten way out of hand. Each of us has been horrified by the recent turn of events in Ukraine. But it’s too easy to just criticize these global situations. It’s pretty normal at this point to jump on the bandwagon and say that the war in Ukraine has to end. Or we have to drive the dictator out of Russia. It’s much simpler to point outside ourselves and focus on the horrible things that someone else is doing, even if the someone else is a country or institution. However, true peace begins at home. It all starts right here, right now in each one of our hearts.
Gandhi, the great Indian leader, was a prophet of non-violence. Closer to home, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. embraced the same message and gave an example of living the message he believed and preached. We have many examples of people who choose to live the gospel message of Jesus. You know, the neighbor who always seems to have time to help you, to be supportive and generous and not expect any reward. We may not be able to personally sign gun control legislation, but the way we live has repercussions. The way we treat others each day can move in ever expanding circles to heal, to create a more peaceful world.
Complicating our lives is so typical. We feel driven to analyze every feeling we or others have. We search for the hidden meaning in a co-worker’s comments. We fearfully assume that our job is this life is enormous and we probably can’t succeed. The list could go on, but the point is that this way of thinking leads us to act out of fear, which is the root energy of hatred and violence. Jesus’ message in the gospel points in a completely different direction.
The way of love and reconciliation! Peace will only begin with me if I keep choosing to live from love and not from fear. The only true task that any of has in this life is to speak, think and act lovingly at every moment. We can’t personally in an instant solve a neighborhood’s crime problem or settle a three-generation feud. But if all the people we meet start to live from love rather than fear, the human race would finally be healed of the scourge of hatred, war and violence. The Eucharist we celebrate, the Easter season we are living out, are dramatic reminders to seek the path of Jesus. The change can begin with only one. Let it begin here, now, with me.
As we approach the Lord’s table and receive the holy meal which Jesus offers us, let us recommit ourselves to being people of hope, of forgiveness, truly Easter people! Amen.