Hello, Friends!

     Today I’m following up on Sunday’s theme of reflection on the meaning of  words we often associate with our observance of the Fourth of July holiday:  Words such as “independence,” “freedom,” “equality,” “liberty.”

      We’re accustomed to speaking of the interior conditions of faithful consciousness as being our true source of anything like freedom, and I believe that’s true.  How we stand, in our awareness, in relation to our higher power, and how that relationship informs how we live—that’s the gold standard for authentic being, on the faith journey.

     It’s also true that you and I are called by Christ into a broader consciousness than that of our own individual beings, our own personal faith condition, our relationship with God.   Unless we are tuned into the priceless, unique value of others’ lives, unless the well-being of our neighbors is held in as high esteem as we hold our own, we are seriously missing the point of living in the love of God.

       It’s not easy—in fact, sometimes it feels nearly impossible to stay open and awake, to take in the pain, the suffering, the incredible need of the all the world’s people.

      How can we count our blessings of freedom and opportunity, and do our part to see that others get to enjoy them, too?

     Certainly as citizens we can exercise our rights of voice and vote, and we can speak out, contribute, and participate in actions and movements that resonate with the callings of our conscience.   Sometimes that will mean we’re within the comfort zones of cultural expectations—and sometimes the Spirit will urge us to move “outside the lines,” for the sake of justice and mercy.

       On a personal and faith community level, we can keep praying, keep studying, keep opening our hearts and minds, keep thinking, speaking, and doing the next loving thing.

       None of us can be free, if all of us aren’t.   Being created equal means we’re supposed to get to live out our lives in the light of the Creator’s loving intent—and we all know the tragic reality is   that for far too many of God’s people,  that’s just not the case.

     I don’t have any answers, Friends, but I do believe we at St. Luke are being nudged by the Spirit to undertake some new, focused, intensive times of prayer and reflection, together, and to offer venues for dialogue and engagement to our surrounding community.

     What issues are of urgent importance for you, today?  I want to know, and I want us to choose a few timely, concrete ways of tuning in, listening, learning, and serving, in the direction of advancing the deep truths that matter.

      A state of true independence means we remember how very interdependent we really are.  That’s the way we can find real freedom from fear, real joy in the moment, real hope for the future.

       I look forward to learning with you this Sunday, and all our days to come.

Shalom,

Sarah