When Love reaches down.
From my morning meditation on Luke 7:36-50. Notice how the religious folk treated her? Notice how Jesus treated her. Luke wrote this for Christians who thought they knew God and who belonged in God's presence. Think about when you have been the woman in the story. Think about if or when you have been part of the excluding community.
When Love Reaches Down. As she made her way to Jesus, she attempted to silence the voice of shame as she hurried past the sting from the stares of rejection. Like walking into a crowded party that you are not invited; where you feel like you have no place, no status, and no right to be there. She felt the shame of rejection, control, and exclusion that reminded her of who she was: one who had no place at the banquet table-- unwelcomed.
As the shaming stares stabbed deeper into her humanity, she walked faster and faster and faster, as if she could out-pace the voice of hatred and the stares of shame. As she caught glimpse of Jesus among the welcomed guests, somehow she managed to stumble to her knees and to face her shame and kneel at the feet of Love. As her shame poured down like warm tears of rain from the pain of her soul... her sorrow cleansed the soles of Love. And in return, Love reached down and cleansed her heart. Love reached down and cleansed her soul. Love reached down and accepted her. Love reached down and cleansed her from her shame. As Love reached down and touched her; she knelt even lower and kissed Love’s feet.
Love reached down.
Love always reaches down.
And when Love reaches down we are never the same.
3 Comments:
beautiful rick! powerful words. thank you for sharing them!
Very true, brother. Love *reaches* - down to those who feel "less than," out to those who feel "apart from," and up to the Source of all the love that we share.
I have always believed that every worship, every outreach, every sermon or teaching should in some way reach out to the one person, who snuck in at the last moment, and is sitting in the back pew, waiting to be told to leave. I just wish I could get my sisters and brothers in seminary to think about that, as opposed to preaching to the choir.
I sometimes get a very un-Christian case of envy of folks who can craft an image the way that you can. Thanks for brightening an otherwise dull morning.
Just found your blog...and am glad I did. No accident. Your words were right on time. Solid stuff...definitely jealous.
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