We are now Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were appealing direct to you through us. As his personal representatives we say, “Make your peace with God.” For God caused Christ, who himself knew nothing of sin, actually to be sin for our sakes, so that in Christ we might be made good with the goodness of God.
As co-operators with God himself we beg, you then, not to fail to use the grace of God. For God’s word is—‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you’. Now is the “acceptable time”, and this very day is the “day of salvation”.
As far as we are concerned we do not wish to stand in anyone’s way, nor do we wish to bring discredit on the ministry God has given us. Indeed we want to prove ourselves genuine ministers of God whatever we have to go through—patient endurance of troubles or even disasters, being flogged or imprisoned; being mobbed, having to work like slaves, having to go without food or sleep. All this we want to meet with sincerity, with insight and patience; by sheer kindness and the Holy Spirit; with genuine love, speaking the plain truth, and living by the power of God. Our sole defence, our only weapon, is a life of integrity, whether we meet honour or dishonour, praise or blame. Called “impostors” we must be true, called “nobodies” we must be in the public eye. Never far from death, yet here we are alive, always “going through it” yet never “going under”. We know sorrow, yet our joy is inextinguishable. We have “nothing to bless ourselves with” yet we bless many others with true riches. We are penniless, and yet in reality we have everything worth having.
Sermon: Practicing Works of Love: Ministering as ‘Co-Operators’ With God
What is God like?
When I ask students this question they often respond with words like “great” or “really big.” Sometimes they might say “loving” or “forgiving” or “compassionate.” But never has one said “suffering” or “obedient.” But that’s how Jesus, the Son of God, is portrayed, isn’t it?
The “Christ-hymn” in Philippians says, Jesus humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! He prayed, “Not my will, but thy will be done” and then walked the lonely road to the cross. Jesus himself essentially said: “Hey, I’m here on earth to do my Father’s will—to obey my heavenly Father is my ultimate purpose.” In John’s gospel Jesus says, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.” Jesus suffered. Jesus obeyed. Jesus, as our reading says, is the one who—even though he knew no sin—nevertheless became sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
What is God like? My favorite description is in Psalm 103, “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.” God is compassionate; and, “In Jesus, God’s compassion is revealed as suffering with us in obedience” ( by Nouwen and others).
Doesn’t that boggle the mind?
The Christian life is a life of following Jesus, a life of discipleship, a life of obedience. Thirty years ago, three Catholic priests, in the book Compassion, begin their discussion of discipleship by wondering…
How can we creatively respond to Jesus’ call to be compassionate as your loving God is compassionate? How can we make God’s compassion the basis and source of our lives? Where can God’s compassionate presence become visible in our everyday lives? (Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life)
In other words, what can we do, day-by-day, to follow the example of Christ? How can we be witnesses to God’s compassion and signs of hope in the midst of a broken and hurting world?
When we think of Ash Wednesday and Lent, so often our thoughts immediately turn to things like fasting and prayer, self-examination and penitence—maybe even to reading the Bible more often, even every day. We think of Lent and we may ask ourselves, “What am I going to give up for Lent?” This year, I want us to think of Lent and ask, “What am I going to GIVE? What works of love am I going to throw myself into?”
Paul tells the church in Corinth an amazing thing: We are Christ’s ambassadors, we are Co-Operators with God. Paul talks about all the stuff he’s endured as a witness to God’s grace in Jesus Christ—not to brag, not to whine, not to blame God… but to remind us that following Jesus means suffering with Jesus. (We’ll talk more about this Sunday.)
What are you going to give?
What “works of love” are you called to do?
There are simple things, special things—and maybe even some big things—which God is calling you to do. They are works of love uniquely yours because you have unique gifts and passions. These works of love can be part of your answer to the question, “What am I going to give?” You are a co-operator with God. We are Christ’s hands and feet on this earth. How can there NOT be some works of love for you to do? For each of us?
So, instead of ashes on your forehead this year, I want you to take the sign of the cross with you throughout Lent…
“Works of Love” cards (3x5)
Instructions (ad lib): First, make a cross dividing the card into four parts; second, write each of the letters L-O-V-E, one each in each quadrant, Third, think of a “work of love” related to each, as follows:
1. L = Love. Write down something you can do—at least once, maybe more often—for someone you love.
2. O = Others. Write down something you can do for another person (or many others): at home, at school, at work.
3. V = Via Dolorosa. The Via Dolorosa (Latin,"Way of Grief" or "Way of Suffering") is the path that Jesus walked, carrying his cross, on the way to his crucifixion. Write down something you can do for—or, better yet, with—someone who is suffering. This may be someone poor, unemployed, or sick; someone in prison or a shut-in who feels like a prisoner in her own home; someone lonely, depressed, sad, or without a friend.
4. E = Every Day. This one’s for you. Write down something you can do almost every day that uniquely expresses God’s Love for you or helps you remember who you are in God. Splashing cold water on your face three times every morning in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Reading the Bible. Going for a walk. Giving up being a workaholic. Whatever. Each day, give yourself a good gift from yourself (but from God, really) that says, “I am God’s dearly loved child. I belong to God.”
Frederick Buechner wrote,
In many cultures there is an ancient custom of giving a tenth of each year’s income to some holy use. For Christians, to observe the forty days of lent is to do the same thing with roughly a tenth of each year’s days. After being baptized by John in the river Jordan, Jesus went off alone into the wilderness where he spent forty days asking himself the question what it meant to be Jesus. During Lent, Christians are supposed to ask one way or another what it means to be themselves" (Frederick Buechner in Whistling in the Dark).
Let’s pray for each other as we each make a commitment to “Four Works of Love.” May the knowledge that we are not alone on this journey give us courage and strength. And may journey itself lead you into a truer understanding of what it means to be you. And into a deeper knowledge and love and imitation of Jesus.
Benediction
The God of peace himself sanctify you entirely;
and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless
at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this. Amen.
