All three scriptures today highlight the universality of God and God’s love and grace. Isaiah reminds us that the Lord’s house will be a house of prayer for all peoples. St. Paul is clear that although his people, the Jews, have yet to accept the gospel, God’s covenant with them, God’s chosen people, is irrevocable. And here is Jesus, reaching beyond his own mission to the house of Israel, reaching out to a pagan woman whose interest is inspired perhaps not so much by any faith as much as personal desperation.
As ancient as these stories may be, they speak to us today. God loves every one of us long before we’re conceived, before we’re born, and loves us regardless of what our beliefs are – or what they are not. God’s love for us is greater than our belief in God, and God’s love isn’t given on account of our believing, nor is it withdrawn for our lack of belief. God is Love.
God’s love for each of us is a gift. It is given out of God’s desire to engage each of us in a relationship of love. God loves each of us and asks us to love one another as we are loved by God. The universal gift of God’s love is given to each of us, with expectations, responsibilities and demands. In fact, we Christians say that this love is the Law by which we are to live.
As I read and listen to the news, I keep thinking of how much we need God. In the face of so much hate we’re hungry for love that gives and gives of itself until sin is defeated and grace triumphs. In the midst of selfish, shallow, foolish thinking we’re thirsty for love whose brightness and clarity purify our prejudice and bathe us clean in the light of truth.
Our nation is divided, broken, lost without direction: torn by partisans, governed by pride, diseased with prejudice. We beg for God’s intervention to speak the truth with power, to mend with care what’s broken, to heal the wounds that bleed, to right what’s gone so wrong, to raise our young in faith, to fuel the fire of hopefulness, to yield a crop of justice and of peace.
But for now, here we are. Here there are so many bodies – black and native bodies, brown and white bodies – lifeless bodies, bodies with torches, bodies kneeling in prayer. And Jesus, with his resurrected body, stands over us, clasping shalom in his hands, weeping once again for Eden. Because he’s seen the path charted by brokenness.
It led Jesus to the cross. It led us through greed, genocide, and colonialism, through slavery, through war after war after war until today, when we realize that we are still buried in tombs of hate. Today we are divided. We are torn. God has watched our story unfold from the beginning, Original Sin staining our hearts, our moments of selfless love paving the way for justice.
In these troubled days, we know we can’t do this on our own: only with God’s help, God’s Word, God’s truth, God’s Spirit pulsing, breathing deep within us, only with God, might we find anew the peace that only God can give. Jesus, we need you. Unite in full grace all that is divided. Mend in full love all that is torn. Resurrect us, we pray.
Paul A. Magnano
Pastor