Love of
Tony E Hansen
Sermon based upon Leviticus :19 1-2, 15-18; Matthew 22:34-46; 1 Thessalonians 2: 1-8
Opening prayer
This last week I spent time in Hamburg, DE. It is interesting going to a place alone and discovering things about oneself. I was in a hotel without an Aufzug (elevator) and I was glad I didn’t rent a bike because would have had to haul that up and down 5 flight of stairs.
I walked all over Hamburg and learned that Hamburg, much like cities here in the states has good and rough neighborhoods as well as immigrants (non-German). My hotel being in one of the rougher ones. There was a nice Platz just around the block and had couple bistros, but most of the neighborhood felt like it was left behind.
On the other side of the tracks was central Hamburg - bustling, vibrant and busy. This is just like Chicago, Minneapolis, New York or even Des Moines.
My language skills need work but I was able to get by, although after a week, I was mentally exhausted.
Then I come home to political ads…
After the last couple weeks of hard-knock parables, this week the Pharisees ask Jesus this question, which is the greatest commandment.
Jesus answers, “you shall love the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind … you shall love neighbor as yourself.”
This is the invitation we have been given, that wedding robe (we talked about a couple weeks ago.) This is the chance to be what God wants us to be.
This commandment is surrounded in Leviticus by some contextual ideas too. Do not render unjust judgment; do not always defer to people you know. Don’t slander; do not hate - else you will incur guilt.
All anchored in “Love the Lord your God... Love your neighbor as yourself.”
First, do you love yourself? Are you an exception to God’s love?
No. We must first understand that we are deserving of God’s love because we are children of God. As children of God, we have been given the divine gifts of life, love, faith and grace.
With these, we have great opportunities; we have vision and life.
Yes you and I deserve God’s love and gifts. You and I can feel that love within us.
Even in the darkest days, those gifts are there and reward us in ways well beyond wealth, stock trading, or other political brokenness.
We give thanks for all that God has given to us and love God for all of these gifts. That is the first part.
God has done all of this wonderful for you and for me, and thus, we ought to return that graciousness to God. For without God, we are nothing and never been.
From there we extend those gifts, we remind others of the gifts they have been given.
This is the second part. While we are trying to figure out ourselves and our world. We are to extend God’s love given to us onto others around us.
In this, we are reminded of Paul’s letters not to have appeal by deceit or flattery, but to seek truth, gentleness and the peace of God - like a nurse tending care for her own children.
The tenderness has been extended to us by God and then for us to extend to others.
Who are “they” and how do we extend?
“They” is everyone - whoever, wherever, they are on life’s journey because you know as well as I that life happens and tests us all. Who are we to judge others for the lessons that people have or haven’t had to endure?
Who we are is that : no judgment, no fear, no anger, no hate - no exception.
Whether you see someone on the side of the road or you see them in your neighborhood or church, you see people. You see God’s children.
That is the beauty of places like Hamburg is that you get to see diversity of people in good places and in the rough.
They don’t have to look like me, they don’t have to dress my way. They don’t have to grow up as a German descendant, as a white male or even queer.
God’s children are everywhere and have different skin tones, different languages, creeds, prayers, songs, or sexuality. We are all unique expressions of that divine love. Thank God !
When we extend love to our neighbors, we extend God’s love. Thus, loving God is to love God’s children.
That forces our hand because this love requires of us to do something besides just say words and maybe an occasional hand holding or peace offering.
God wants us to do this unconditionally and wherever we go. We can do that simply with a smile - an honest and gracious one.
We can go further and be in the community. Extend a hand to those who need some help. Be the loving face of God to those who feel left out. Then, we remind them that God is for them too as much as God is for you and me through our words and acts - kindness, generosity, and tenderness.
That can change someone’s life. A meal, a conversation, a “guten tag” today could be the hope someone needs to find motivation to be more - Or for someone to simply see God’s face today. In addition, that grace we extend to others, builds us, here inside, just the same.
That is because we are doing what God wants us to do. Not just saying the words but living the love that God has entrusted to us.
That Beloved is worth more than ridiculous and rude politics or empty non-promises. That love and compassion is worth our votes and our attention. That doesn’t have borders, continental divides, or cornered neighborhoods but stretch beyond our understanding.
That is the love of God working and building us as God’s children.
Viele danke Gott sein, Amen
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