NURTURE OUR HEARTS IN LOVE: FURNISH

WEDNESDAY, CHRISTMAS WEEK: LOVE

How will we work with Jesus to furnish our heart-rooms with more Love? Will he help us find more time for serving, more patience for caring, more generosity for sharing, more awareness for acting? Do you envision an open door for welcoming, a table for nourishing, a quiet corner for listening?

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Jim handed me a tissue, and as I dabbed my eyes and wiped my nose, he asked, “Looking at Instagram again?” We both laughed; recently I seem to have a nightly ritual of being moved to tears by the compassionate, uplifting posts that flow into my Instagram feed. I watch videos of tender, caring acts of lovingkindness–surprise reunions, adoption announcements, animal rescues, outstanding teachers, innocent children, helpful strangers. When the world often seems harsh and cruel, these little moments have a huge impact on my hope and joy. I am deeply touched to know that everywhere, every day, individuals are coming together to make good differences for others.

This visible love of caring for others is the Love of Christ in action.

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The Love of God in Christ is meant to be shared in community. Jesus even promises that when we lovingly gather with one another, he will be with us, too. “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:20). Author John Pavlovitz notes that Jesus especially appreciated gathering for meals, forming relationships and community through hospitality and nourishment.

What struck me when I began to read the Gospel stories was Jesus’ table ministry, the way he so often used the act of sharing a meal, the act of breaking bread, as a way of letting people know that they were seen and heard and known and respected… The table was an altar around which he welcomed the world to experience communion with God and with one another.¹

We are all invited, all welcome. This is the Love of God in Christ. How might we open a place for someone at the table of our heart-room (or dining room) today?

¹Pavlovitz, John. A Bigger Table: Building Messy, Authentic, and Hopeful Spiritual Community. Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville. 2017 (page 58)
Bible verses are NRSVUE, found at https://www.biblegateway.com/
Photo by Karen