Love in Action
This graphic, including words from Duke Chapel Dean Luke Powery in this morning's Ash Wednesday service, go hand ind hand with my Devotion published by Habitat for Humanity International this week.
Love in action
By Frank Wrenn
Is this the kind of fast I
have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and
ashes?
Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD?
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every
yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer
with shelter — when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away
from your own flesh and blood?
— Isaiah 58:5-7, New International Version
I usually hear this
Scripture at Ash Wednesday services, as my congregation begins the season of
Lent. For many, Lent is a time to fast or to deny ourselves of something. It
seems ironic that this Scripture would lead into this season. Yet it reminds
me, even as the ashes are put on my forehead, that it is not the appearance of
contrition or piety that matters, but rather the question of how I am answering
God’s call to serve others.
Does it matter that I’m
fasting if I’m not helping to feed those who are hungry?
Does it matter that I’m
following all the rituals if I’m not fighting systemic oppression and
marginalization?
Does it matter that I
just attend church when I’m called to BE the Church?
There is a great
difference between professing one’s faith and living it. There is a giant chasm
between claiming to love our neighbor and putting God’s unbounded love into
action.
Shortly after washing
His disciples’ feet, Jesus proclaimed, “A new command I give you: Love one
another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34. He
showed this love to His disciples by the visible action of washing their feet.
The love of Christ demands action from us.
We are called not to
only proclaim our faith, but to live our faith and Christ’s love through
action. And isn’t that exactly what Habitat’s ministry is about? “Seeking to
put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to
build homes, communities and hope.”
Prayer
Lord, help us to know
that we live in Your world and are called to love and called to be the Church:
to celebrate Your presence, to love and serve others, to seek justice and
resist evil. Give us the strength to break the cycle of oppression and injustice.
Help us as we endeavor to be Your Church, bringing about Your kingdom on Earth.
Amen.
Questions
1.
What am I doing to set the oppressed free? To clothe and
shelter those in need?
2.
Do the actions of my faith community fight injustice or
support the status quo?
3.
How am I being called to live my faith? How am I being
called to love others?
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