It is easier, I think, to have faith in something greater than ourselves, and to trust that this too shall pass when you live in a place that demands awe and wonder pretty much all the time – ( well, when the clouds lift anyway…) Still, this campaign season I am struggling. I am craving church, prayer, the message of the gospel. I’m leaning on Jesus–the Jesus of love, peace and kindness toward all, especially the poor, the suffering, the persecuted, the refugees and orphans.
This morning I listened to the service from last Sunday ( the 22nd) at Boston University’s Marsh Chapel. (I have been hunting, so am behind.) I also went to the Presbyterian church to be around neighbors that I like who don’t all agree with me on the big issues, both locally and nationally. Like Trump. The elephant in the room these days. (I feel better now that I said it. Thank you.) And with that on my mind, this is what I heard this morning, that I want to share with you, at the end of Dean Hill’s sermon from Boston. The words are from another leader of Marsh Chapel, Rev. Dr. Robert Neville, Dean Emeritus:
“I invite you into the humble way Jesus preached. Seek not arrogance but poverty of spirit, not vengeance but mourning for those who harm and are harmed, not a ‘me first’ way but meekness, not avarice and materialism but a hunger and thirst for righteousness, not retribution but mercy, not conniving for position but purity of heart, not war but peace, not victory but persecution for righteousness’ sake. The humble will be persecuted for righteousness’ sake, do not mistake that. Humble people and nations are not life’s winners in the material sense. But they are indeed life’s winners in the spiritual sense that counts. The humble will be blessed. The arrogant will be brought down. The last shall be first and the first shall be last.” —From Neville’s Preaching Without Easier Answers, 188.
