Romans 1:1-7
I am almost speechless after reading this morning's passage. Once again, after reading verses in the bible I've read hundreds of times, my heart is opened to something new. It's in these moments I can only sit quietly and feel the power of God's love overwhelm me to the brink of tears.
Those of you who know me will agree that I am as nonjudgmental as they come. It honestly doesn't matter to me who or what you are as I welcome the privilege of sharing a part of life's journey with you. I had such a sharing last night.
I attended the funeral of a high school classmate's father. He was 88 years old at passing and had lived a good, long life. His last few years were marred with the mental and physical effects of Alzheimer's, but his family never stopped loving him.
It was my friend's responsibility to take care of his father for those years, and he did so as well as he could. There were times when it wasn't easy, and there were times when he wanted to just give up, but he pulled through those times with the help of friends and family and came through on the other side with renewed energy.
What I wanted to highlight this morning was last night's family gathering. I can't really call it a funeral, it had no feel whatsoever of one. I would like to call it a celebration of life, except the life that was being celebrated wasn't so much that of the passed. I honestly can call what i attended last night a family gathering where the patriarch of that family was being recognized for all the love he shared and all the accomplishments he achieved. But it was the fullness of life which the living shared that was celebrated.
This family gathering began with a recognition of immediate family members, then moved on through their families, extended families, friends of families, and so on, asking each group to stand as they were recognized, and until all people present were standing.
Until all people present were standing.
It seemed to me that they made sure all people felt included. It felt to me that the love this family had for their father wasn't going to stop with their father; it was going to go through each and every person present that night and from there into the world.
Such is the love of God, and the Apostle Paul recognized this as he addressed the Romans by saying to them in the very beginning of his epistle to them, "To all God’s beloved in Rome." not some, not most, not the special ones...All.
Inclusive love is the message of Jesus. This is the love that God wanted the world to know through Jesus Christ. Inclusive love is what the world waits and watches for. All we need to do is share that love with all those who are still waiting.
Advent brings into our lives all that we wish for. Advent is the hope that through God's love we can find peace and joy. Welcome Advent into our lives and when Christmas happens share that gift with everyone you meet.
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