I like it because it forces me to really study and discern the different translations, and to understand and contemplate the historical context, and wrestle with the text knowing that the world back then was a whole lot different from the one we live in now.
 
I don’t mind the contradictions including the ones Jesus seems to make. Take the end of Matthew’s gospel, where Jesus tells his followers, “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Most scholars agree that this means to share the message of God’s salvation with everyone—regardless of culture, gender, ethnicity, or social divide.
 
But then, as we will see in the passage below, Jesus seems to contradict himself when it comes to who we are to share this good news with.

Right after teaching his followers how to love, forgive, and seek the kingdom of God, Jesus slips in this perplexing command: “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine.”
 
What does that even mean? And why would Jesus, who taught radical love and inclusion, say something that sounds so harsh and exclusive? Does Jesus hate dogs? I mean, I can see how an obedient Jew might have something against pigs. But dogs? Really?
 
When Cali was a puppy, she loved to chew on anything that belonged to me--
my hat, my belt, even my computer charger. I assume Jesus knows dogs have a reputation for being destructive. So, it makes sense not to give them something precious if you don’t want it destroyed.
 
Same is true about out a pig who will literally eat anything put in front of its mouth. Of course, Jesus is not being literal here. He’s not referring to animals, but humans. Again, context plays a key role in understanding scripture.
 
Knowing what we know about Jesus, I think it is a fair guess to say he’s not advocating for rejecting or excluding people. Instead, I believe he’s teaching us about discernment, or like as Paul describes, seeing with the “eyes of the heart  enlightened, you may perceive what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints,” (Ephesians 1:18).
 
I think Jesus is reminding us that we need to be very mindful when sharing the precious truths of the gospel, which is the pearl he’s talking about here.

​In another parable, he describes the kingdom of heaven as a great pearl, worth everything we have (Matthew 13:45-46). So, when Jesus tells us not to throw pearls before swine, he’s telling us not to share the gospel carelessly. Not everyone is ready to receive it.
 
Think about it like this: you have a friend who is deeply entrenched in some crazy conspiracy theory that pretty much everyone knows is a made-up story created to manipulate or distract the public from the truth. But your friend for some reason can’t let it go. They are so far down the rabbit hole, that you know trying to tell them otherwise is a waste of time and energy. They are simply unable to hear what you’re saying.
 
The Bible is a book that reveals God’s faithfulness and love in real ways that can transform real lives. But if someone’s not ready or open to being transformed, what good does it do to keep pushing?

Jesus says, “Brush the dust off your sandals and move on” (Matthew 10:14). Some people just are not there yet.
 
This is neither a reflection or rejection of you. It’s just that sometimes, it's not a person's time. And we have to trust God knows what God is doing.
​
It's all about timing, and mostly God's timing which I don't think I will ever fully understand.  However, I know that when I was 13, I took guitar lessons so I could indulge my fantasy of becoming a rock star.

All I wanted to do was learn how to play songs by The Clash and Ramones. But my teacher insisted I learn the basics first—chords and scales—which, at the time, I didn’t have the patience for. Frustrated, I quit after only a few lessons. I didn’t pick up the guitar again until I was 30 and I was very hungry to learn everything I could about it.
 
Sharing God‘s truth is kind of like that. We can’t force people to understand the depths of faith if they’re not ready. We have to discern each situation to know when to give what is holy to someone.
 
Jesus model this well. When he met the woman at the well, he listened to her questions, engaged in conversation with her, and even offered her living water (John 4:5-42).

But when he stood before Herod, he stayed silent because he knew the king was not open to the truth and could not see its value (Luke 23:9).

The ancient poet wrote, “There’s a time for everything under heaven…a time for silence, and a time to speak” (Eccl. 3:7).

 
John Chrysostom (347-407 CE) the master preacher of the early church, reminds us: “We must not teach in a way that alienates those who would hear, but rather draw them toward the truth with patience and wisdom.”

In other words, the best way to share the gospel is to be the gospel meeting people where they are. Like Kathleen used to tell the kids, “You catch more bees with honey than vinegar.”

The way we share the gospel—the way we present the pearl—is just as important as the message itself.
 
When I was in seminary, I got in a tense discussion with a group of classmates who loved to go out and do street evangelism. I had asked them what they believed was the best way to teach someone about Jesus who didn’t believe in him?
 
Immediately they all began quoting scripture to me. I had to remind them that a person who does not believe in Jesus, or God, isn’t going to believe the Bible either. The more they struggled to answer my question without defaulting to scripture or church doctrine, the more I pushed back like someone on the street might.
 
Finally, another classmate, frustrated by our obnoxious debate, yelled out, “Look. You don’t tell them who Jesus is—you show them.” Which was exactly my point.
 
The problem was that these guys were so focused on “winning over souls” that they weren’t able to see what Jesus is talking about in this passage.

​The Bible is not a weapon to beat people into heaven. It’s the living word of God that meets us where we are…right here in Anamesa.
 
The thing is, Jesus doesn’t send us to the furthest corners of the world to win arguments or force our beliefs on people. Jesus sends us out into the world to awaken hearts, not shut them down. This means, we have to meet people in ways that speak louder than words.

We have to be the precious pearl Jesus entrusted us to carry. Which is exactly what St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226 CE) meant when he said, “Go and preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words.”
 
Our mission here at Anamesa is to love God, love others, and serve both. These actions can’t be limited by words… but must be defined by action. People need to see it in us before they will even consider doing it themselves.
 
Jesus sends us out to form deep and authentic relationships. And build loving communities in his name. I can sit here and broadcast to the world about God’s love and hope everyone hears it and gets it. Or I can walk beside someone on their journey and show them what God’s love looks like in the flesh.

Because I took the time to discern what Jesus says, I now believe it’s better to show others how to grow their faith - so they can see the preciousness of God’s pearls in real and tangible ways.
 
Now there’s another thing I love about the Bible, that I need you to pay close attention too. This is not just the pastor’s job. Jesus calls every member of his church to be a beacon of light in the darkness. He sends us all out to make God’s love and grace come alive in every city, every home, and every heart that’s open.

When we come across hearts that are closed, we must discern when to wait, when to pray, and when to step back, trusting that God is doing something we cannot see.
 
As we get ready to out into the world, I would like to leave you with these encouraging words of Paul from his letter to the church in Colossi: "Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the op[portunity. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone." Colossians 4:5-6).
 
Brothers and sisters, Jesus has entrusted each of us with a precious pearl and that great responsibility that comes with it. He sends us share it wisely, to speak with grace, and to love with a heart that reflects his.
 
Go and let your life be a testimony, a reflection of the grace you’ve received. And as you go, remember the promise that Jesus gave his disciples: “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
 
Carry that promise with you. Step out in faith. And watch how God will bless you and guide you as you carry this precious pearl everywhere you go.

When most people think of church, they picture a big building, a choir, and a pastor preaching from a pulpit to people sitting on hard pews. But we do things a little differently here. As many of you already know, Anamesa resides in that space between time and distance. Some watch live in person or in their homes while others tune in on a lunch break later in the week.
 
Although we’ve been accused of breaking away from the church structure, our goal was simply to break the mold around it. Church isn’t a building or a set time in the week. It’s you and me - ordinary, everyday folks connecting with each other to share our experiences, and grow together in our faith.
 
According to the reading I have chosen for today, that’s what church used to be like.

Luke paints a wonderful picture of a place where people from all walks of life could find belonging without the fear of judgement or rejection.

They met in houses like this one. They ate their meals together and shared their struggles and triumphs. They lived their lives with joy and compassion; supporting each other - not just emotionally but financially as well so that no one was without.
 
Luke said, everyone who saw what they were doing were in awe. People wanted to be a part of this new movement that seemed to challenge social norms and conventional wisdom.
 
I fear that somewhere in this space between then and now, the church has lost most of that early wonderment and joy. Walk into most houses of worship and you’ll find people just going through the motions: praying, singing, listening to a message. Afterwards, they move on with their day with little change in their heart or behavior.
 
But imagine what Anamesa could look like if everyone gathered and lived in such a way that left people in awe. Where the simple act of sharing our heart got people’s attention. It might sound altruistic, but I actually think it’s possible.
 
I experienced something similar many years ago when I moved into a small, rundown apartment complex in Hollywood. I wasn’t sure about the place at first, but there was something there that was special and sacred.
 
In the middle of the courtyard there was this old, metal patio table. Like most of the residents, it had been kicked to the curb, left to rot. But some of our neighbors cleaned it up and painted a wild solar system of funky stars and planets on it. Around the rim they painted different people holding hands.
 
Every night a bunch of us would gather around that table for dinner sharing whatever we had— mismatched plates, random salads, pasta, and a lot of wine and laughter. Yet, what made that space sacred wasn’t so much the meals, but the way we trusted each other enough to be honest and vulnerable. Like that first church, we leaned on each other for support - emotional, physical, and even financial.
 
Whether it was a hard lesson learned from life or a lighter for your cigarette, we all had something to give to the community pot. And even if you had nothing you still had a safe sanctuary where you could be loved on and cared for. We were far from sainthood, but I’ll tell you what, God was there, as close to us as we were to each other.
 
Imagine if every church looked like this. A place where anyone can come to feel welcomed and loved, no matter what. 

For many of us, this was our church. That table was our altar - covered in candle wax, discarded ashes, and tears. Our pews were mismatched chairs and a raggedy old sofa covered in cats. But it was the congregation – that wild bunch of broken and beloved  – who showed up every night and made each meal a eucharistic feast.

 
The early church had a word for such a community: koinonia. It’s a Greek word that is most commonly translated as “fellowship” but actually means "participation in a shared life." The way they participated and shared life was around an ordinary, everyday table.
 
At that table they practiced the Way of Jesus - which they learned firsthand by the Apostles. It turns out their hunger wasn’t just physical. They also had a deep spiritual hunger that they satiated by praying together, crying together, and caring for one another’s needs.

They fed their faith and found God in the ordinary, daily routines of communal life.
 
Around those tables, they learned how to live out the gospel in real time – touching and transforming others along the way. It’s no wonder people were blown away by what they saw and experienced. As the wonderful Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh described so beautifully, they “touched life so deeply that the Kingdom of God became a reality."
 
Isn’t that our goal and purpose – to make God’s kingdom come alive, even in the most basic or mundane ways? To quote Samuel Coleridge, “Christianity is not a theory or speculation, but a life; not a philosophy of life, but a life and a living process.”  That process begins by following Jesus who said, “I am the truth, the light and the way” (John 14:6).
 
If we want to know God and be enlightened enough to see what God’s Kingdom looks like in real time, Jesus says, “Follow me.” See what I do for others and do it. Love, forgive, heal, clothe, support. Stand up for what’s right with a humble heart. Be tender and merciful to all people, just as God has shown tenderness and mercy to you.
 
That’s what those first Christians did. They didn’t merely go to church—they were the church. They risked everything to live out Christ’s truth, embodying God’s love in real and tangible ways.
 
Maybe it's time we took a page from their book. Instead of just attending “service,” what if we started worshiping like they did – filling the space between us and our neighbors with giant buffet tables overflowing with God’s love?

Love is the heartbeat of a Christ community. It’s how the world should see our faith in action.
 
We don’t need grand cathedrals to show it; we just need to make love become incarnate wherever we go. Jesus said love is the way people will know we belong to him. But as Brian Tracy points out, "Love only grows by sharing."
 
The early church grew because people saw something different in them—something real. They were drawn to the love, the joy, and the sense of belonging to a community where everyone was equal and welcome. I believe we can stand out like this—not so much in the way we gather,
but in all the many different ways we love God, love others, and serve both.
 
We hear that vision every week, but are we really showing it, making that public? Are we honoring our love for God by loving our neighbor, and giving liberally to those in need? To follow Jesus is to break the molds that separate us from one another. This first church gave us the blueprint on how to do that.
 
Actor Rainn Wilson describes this koinonia community as one of the greatest revolutions the world has ever seen. He said, “For the first time in human history, people from all races, nations, classes, and genders—including sailors, rabbis, Roman soldiers, widows, carpenters, prostitutes—gathered together to worship God and remember the legacy of Jesus.”
 
Theirs wasn't merely a religious movement; it was a revolutionary community united by the living presence of Christ - the very incarnation of God’s love.
 
They thrived by opening their hearts and hands to those the world had kicked to the curb and left to rot. I believe we can do the same today if we shift our focus from simply attending church to actively participating in the mission of Christ - loving others, promoting peace, serving those on the margins, and getting involved in our communities.
 
Remember, it's not about perfect theology or flawless performance. It's about loving like Jesus loved. It's about being a beacon of hope in a world filled with darkness.
 
So, let’s get started and be the church the world needs. Let’s stand in Anamesa, in this space between heaven and earth, as bridges to God’s love and glory.
 
Let’s follow the way of Jesus and become holy and sacred sanctuary for anyone seeking true peace, spiritual freedom, and real healing.
 
Let us take the steps to be who God calls us to be.

And together, I believe, we will leave the world in awe.
 

 
 
Work Cited
Adapted from a sermon A Gathered People: What Are You Doing Here. May 21, 2017.
Byassee, Jason. "Living in the Word: Scared Sheep?" Sojourners, May 2017: 44.
Cole, Neal. Organic Church: Growing Faith Where Life Happens. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2005.
Moore, Charles. Called To Community. Walden: Plough Publishing House, 2016.
Snyder, Howard. Called To Community. Edited by Charles E. Moore. Walden: Plough Publishing House, 2016.
Rainn Wilson interview from Faith For Normal People, April 19, 2023.

It would be a drastic understatement to say politicians love pointing every flaw and failure of their opponents while conveniently ignoring their own. And it shouldn't surprise any of us because these types of hypocrites have been around forever – in government, media, and even the church.

When a culture like ours is obsessed with morally superiority, it’s just way too easy to be critical of others.  But Jesus calls us to a different standard— a life of humility, self-reflection, and grace. In today's passage, we will hear what Jesus thinks about the hypocritical nature of judgment, particularly among his followers.

The command is pretty basic and simple: “Don’t judge, or you will be judged.” It's not one of those sayings Jesus has that requires much thinking. In fact, it's so easy to understand by the masses that it would be unusual to find it printed on a novelty tea towel.

Despite its broad appeal, many Christians will ignore this golden rule of sorts. Settling instead to fall into the same hypocrisy Jesus condemns the Pharisees of.
 
You might remember me talking about those guys. They are the one's Jesus calls "blind guides" because they are quick to enforce the rules on others but slow to look at their own hearts. They obsess over minor rules like tithing spices, but miss the bigger picture of justice, mercy, and faithfulness (c.f. Matthew 23).
 
To put it into today's context, Jesus might say something like, “Woe to you, Senators and sly foxes, who criticize others for not securing borders but refuse to pass the necessary legislation to do so.” Or perhaps a little closer to home, “Woe to you who preach against homosexuality while secretly hiding in the closet.”
 
Now, to be fair, we cannot escape life without making critical judgement calls. But we can critique others without condemning ourselves. Notice the quirky, little parable Jesus gives us about someone with a huge plank protruding from their eye trying to pick out a tiny speck of sawdust from someone else’s eye.

The absurdity of the image underscores this point: you can’t help others see clearly if you’re blinded by your own faults.
 
Jesus is not saying don’t help others with their “specks,” just address your own “planks” first. Be humble and self-aware, recognizing your own imperfections before judging others. This is a great way not to be hypocritical.

But it’s also a great way to follow Jesus who calls us to “repent,” to make a change in the way we think that can transform the way we see ourselves in relationship to God and others.
 
So, Just as Jesus looks within us, so too must we first look in the space between our head and heart where our words and deeds are born. 

I love the way Carl Jung reminds us how "Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves."

​I believe if we take the time to do some honest, self-examination, we can change the way we see the world - viewing it with the eyes of a compassionate heart rather than one that condemns.

 
If we are being honest with ourselves, we know that we are all need grace and love. They are part of the essential nutrients for our spiritual health. According to Dietrich Bonhoeffer: "When I judge, I am blind to my own evil and to the grace granted to the other person."

To recognize our limitations is, in many ways, is to receive what God through Christ has to offer us: Grace upon grace.
 
This spiritual journey we are on is not a competition; it’s not us versus them any more than it's me against you. It's about walking together towards God’s steadfast love knowing that no one is morally or spiritually better than anyone else on this path.

Like Paul pointed out in Romans, “We all fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Each and every one of us is in need God’s grace – no matter how big or small our need is.
 
Jesus instructs us to look within ourselves before we look at another person with contempt. For it’s in our removing of the plank that we clear our vision. And change our perspective. Instead of seeing others as objects of judgment, we can see them as God sees us – as beloved children made from love for the purpose of love.
 
When we see and understand others this clearly, we can become very generous with our love, mercy, and grace. We must learn to see beyond the kind of thinking that separates people into "good" or "bad," "right" or "wrong." We must remove the blinders from our eyes and see the divine presence in everyone.
 
Remember from last week what Jesus said? “I am the vine, you are the branches” (John 15:5). We’re all made in the divine image of God. And we all draw from the same source for our nutrients. Any part of us that don’t produce the fruit of God’s love, must be removed. Starting with that giant, protruding plank.
 
When we see ourselves and others as part of a larger, unified whole, we can move beyond our rigid divisions towards true compassion and understanding. We can become people who stand for peace and justice for all.
 
Again, Jesus is speaking to the folks who will become the Church. He knows that moral superiority is toxic to any community. And that hypocrisy will only pollute this sacred space. By helping us to recognize our shared humanity and brokenness, Jesus levels the playing field allowing us to approach correction with a humble heart of love rather than smug soul of condemnation.
 
In his book A Community of Character, Stanley Hauerwas reminds us that, "The church is the body of Christ, constituted by practices that form people who can recognize their need for forgiveness and, therefore, are able to forgive others."

To truly follow Christ is to reflect his love and grace, starting with how we love God, love others, and serve both. Such a posture can lead to a deeper relationship with God and others, instead of pushing them both away.
 
Jesus straight up tells us to, “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34). He’s not saying overlook someone’s faults or sins but remove the blinders from our eyes and hearts, so you can see people the way he sees them. And love and forgive them like he does.
 
This is the kind of shit Jesus says to inspire us to actually love both our neighbor and ourselves (Mark 12:31). He shows us how to do it, so we will mirror his mercy, reflecting his grace in ways that exemplify his call to “Forgive and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37).
 
Jesus says and does a lot of things worthy of being printed on a tea-towel, most of which could be summed up with this saying: “Do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12). 
 
As we embrace his name, let us lead by his example—welcoming people with open arms, no matter who they are, who they love, or who they vote for. Henri Nouwen reminded us that “Those you have deeply loved become part of you.”

Since there will always be people to love, we will always have one another as part of who we are. As the inner community of our heart becomes wider, “the more easily you will recognize your own brothers and sisters in the strangers around you.”
 
Let’s be a community of the heart—a place where love is abundant, grace is offered freely, and judgment is tempered by humility. Instead of criticizing others, lets look inward; asking God to reveal our planks. Instead of calling out others’ faults, lets examine our lives to ensure we are living out God’s will for us with integrity.
 
Jesus clearly says, “The measure you give is the measure you will receive” (Matthew 7:2) You might call this karma, the principle of what goes around comes around. For me it’s a reminder to be mindful of what God continues to do in my life so that I can be generous with my love and abundant with my grace.
 
As we unlock the space between us, may we embody Christ’s compassion throughout Anamesa, helping others to feel God’s love. And see Jesus for who he truly is the one who reminds us, “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light” (Matthew 6:22).
 
Our eyes reflect and reveal our truth, especially in the ways we see others in need. Just as a “healthy” eye sees with purity, hypocrisy blinds us spiritually.
 
Using another crazy illustration, Jesus drives this point home saying, “If your eye causes you to stumble, it should be cut out and thrown into the fire.”
 
But before things get that drastic, maybe we should first remove the planks from our own eyes so we can see more clearly the Way of the One who looks over the crowd and begins to say, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8)
 
 
 
Work Cited:
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community. (Harper & Row, 1954).
Hauerwas, S.. A Community of Character: Toward a Constructive Christian Social Ethic. (University of Notre Dame Press, 1981).
Jung, Carl G. Aion: Researches into the Phenomenology of the Self. (Princeton University Press, 1951).
Nouwen, Henri J.M. You Are The Beloved. (Convergent, 2017).

Music is a deeply personal experience, and what resonates with me might not work for you. Still, I try to keep an open mind and appreciate the thought behind their recommendations because I know it’s not just about the music; it’s also a way of showing they care and just want to stay connected with me.
 
Beyond our personal tastes, music has this amazing ability to bring us together on a deeper level. It’s a universal language that can bridge cultural, political, and religious divides.

There’s a group of musicians from Israel and Palestine who meet weekly to jam together. For years, they’ve used their music to foster peace and understanding between their communities, demonstrating that music can unite even amidst wars and conflict.
 
On July 4, 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono sang, “All I am saying is give peace a chance.” It was a protest psalm of sorts. Although it had no religious overtones, it’s hard not to hear Jesus singing, “Blessed are the Peacemakers for they will be called children of God.” 

That’s the power of music. It can evoke deep and communicate profound emotions (often without words). It’s no wonder we use it for worship and celebration.
 
So, the next time a friend shares a song with you, take a moment to appreciate their gesture and enjoy the chance to connect through their passion for music. A

​nd take the opportunity to lift up your heart to God and be grateful for the great soundtrack (and friends) that help us get through life’s ups and downs, one beat at a time.

Let's face it, we have too many choices to make from what to wear, what to eat, which way to go to work to avoid traffic. Who to vote for is just another and what to vote for are just a few more things we have to add to the already long list. (Thank you, however, for making the choice to read beyond this sentence.)

As if choosing all this stuff wasn’t difficult enough, knowing each one of our choices we make will inevitably produce either a positive or negative result which, as you might already know, can overwhelm our wellbeing. Katie Hines-Shah reminds us, “Before we make such choices, we would do well to hear the call of the gospel.”

​This is sage advice, considering Jesus always says some pretty good shit to guide us down the right path. (Read all ofJohn 15:1-11 here) 

Before we go any further, I am curious if you have ever heard of The Unyielding Oak?

It is a massive, ancient oak tree in the English countryside that has weathered centuries of storms, droughts, and temperature changes. From thundering tempest to battles and bombs, whatever this tree has faced, it still continues to bear acorns year after year.
 
I think if Jesus saw that tree, he would marvel at its strength and admire its endurance saying, “Your faith needs to be like this oak whose unyielding strength doesn’t come from avoiding storms but because its roots are deeply embedded in the earth. Just as this tree abides in the soil, drawing nutrients from deep below the surface, so too must you abide in me. And when you abide in me and I in you, then you will be able to stand strong no matter what storms come your way.”
 
This is the gist of what Jesus is talking about when he walks past a vineyard and says, "I am the vine; you are the branches."

He wants his disciples to know that they’re all part of the same living organism whose roots are deeply embedded in God’s heart. Which tells me whether you’re a leaf, branch or tendril, everything attached to this vine is nourished by God’s love to produce the fruit of God’s kingdom.
 
So, Jesus tells his followers, “Abide in me.” Which, in both the Hebrew and Greek, is defined as a dwelling or setting, a physical place one sets up permanent residency. It’s like Jesus is saying, “Make your home in me. And together we can share God’s heart.” 
 
As I have been saying throughout this series, Jesus is all about transforming the way we see ourselves in relationship with God and one another. This relationship begins in the heart where part of the transformation process includes letting go of the stuff that doesn’t grow or strengthen the relationship.
 
In this lesson, Jesus gives us an image of God as an attentive gardener, carefully snipping away the parts of us that aren’t producing anything good. While this pruning process can be painful, the sharp pinch of the shears and the heat of the fire are necessary for growth. We all have to go through the pruning process. Not even Jesus got out of it (John 15:2).

Like I have learned with our apple and avocado trees, a branch that is properly pruned will go on to bear more fruit.
 
Moreover, God transforms the compost that is pruned, turning worthless branches into lights that guide and heat that keeps us warm. Even its ash is used to enrich the soil and contributes to new growth! Nothing is wasted in God's kingdom.

In the same way God transformed the wood of the cross into the instrument of salvation, God also transforms the worst of us into something good. That’s what being in a relationship with God is all about…being made new again.
 
Now, you may have noticed Jesus doesn’t just say, “Abide in me…” He says, “Abide in me as I abide in you.” Through him, God has already made the first move to be with us, to redeem and transform us. Now Jesus is inviting you and me to make a choice to reciprocate, to attach our lives to his life and draw from God’s abundance.​

At the last advertising agency I worked for, we had a wine client who taught me all sorts of interesting facts about grapes.

For example, not only is the quality of grape influenced by the soil, climate, and the amount of stress the vine endures, but the best-tasting fruit are the ones produced closest to the central vine where the nutrients are most concentrated.

Just as the life of a branch is sustained by its connection to the vine, our lives are sustained by remaining in a close relationship with Christ.
 
When we abide in Jesus, we begin to mimic his way of life, and draw from his spiritual riches. When we abide in his heart, we begin to bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit which Paul lists as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Of course, Jesus boils it all down to this, “Just as God has loved me, so I have loved you…Go and abide in my love.” And you know the kind of shit Jesus says about love, right?
 
He tells us to not only love God but love your neighbor like you love yourself. (Notice he says love yourself, too.)

He says love those who despise you. Love anyone who want to hurt you. Love each other, unconditionally and liberally, like God first loved you.  (I think he would also say, "Love cats, dogs, poetry, music, surfing and all the millions of other things that make life wonderful)

Jesus even shows us what love looks like put into practice and how used as a way bridge divides and unite people together. And how to make it our go to thing in meeting and treating others.
 
With his roots deeply embedded in God’s heart, Jesus’ love feeds us, heals us, and empowers us to go out into Anamesa to make love blossom and grow in every space we enter.

​While conventional wisdom says look out for yourself, take what you can get Jesus says, “Love one another,” and “you will get in return the measure you give.”
 
As they walk through the vineyard towards the garden where he will be arrested Jesus tells his friends, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love.” When we choose to love God, love others and serve both with a loving heart, Jesus tells us, “Your joy will be complete.”
 
This is ultimately what God wants to give us, a life of love and joy. The kind of joy that gives us strength and hope in the face of adversity.

Knowing what the Apostles will face when he’s gone, Jesus appoints his followers to go bear the fruit of God’s kingdom in all the ways “that you love one another.”
 
The consequences of choosing love, will result in “fruit that will last.” Same is true for us. Our choice to abide in God’s love has everlasting consequences.
 
While we have spent a good deal of time looking at many different things Jesus says there’s one more thing I wish to point out. A few verses later in John’s gospel Jesus says, “Everything I have heard from my Father, I have made known to you” (John 15:15).

Jesus has kept nothing from us. Not only has he revealed the kingdom of heaven to us but has also invited us to participate in it. His good news needs to be shared. Like he states in another parable about a vineyard, Jesus says, “the harvest is plentiful but there workers are few”(Matthew 9:37). 

Abiding in Jesus isn't just about hanging out with him on the couch and binge watching Ozark together. We got to show up for him too, living out his love and making a difference in the world.
 
Every choice we make matters. We can choose to be kind and compassionate, or selfish and angry. We can create fear and division or bring people together. We can add to the darkness, or shine Christ's light to chase it away.

We can live like Jesus, showing kindness, goodness, and faithfulness. Or we can do nothing and miss out on all the good stuff Jesus has to offer.
 
As we contemplate our choice, let us remember God will make a choice too. One that depends on whether or not we chose to abide in the one who says, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world…for what you did to the least of these, you did also to me” (Matthew 25:34, 40)
 
May we all choose wisely.
 
 
 
Work Cited:
Bartlett, David L. and Barbara Brown Taylor, eds. Feasting on the Word, Year B Vol. 2. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2008.
Montes, Luz Cabrera. How to Love. (accessed May 1, 2021).
Hines-Shah, Katie. Choosing to Abide. christiancentury.org August 19, 2024 (accessed on August 23, 2024).

Every parable of Jesus reveals a sobering truth regarding God’s kingdom. This one highlights God’s radical inclusion that challenge our preconceived notions of worthiness.

This story takes place while some religious folks are questioning Jesus’ authority. They are priests and elders, the supposed exemplars of faith and righteousness. But Jesus sees through them. He knows their hearts. And he pushes back, calling them out in not so subtle of ways.

It must have been shocking for them to hear Jesus contrast their piety to tax collectors and prostitutes - the kind of folks we despised and ostracized today. Imagine the look on their faces when he declares these so-called sinners will enter the kingdom of God ahead of them. Why? Because “those people” believed what John the Baptist proclaimed. And they repented, changed their thinking and doing.

More than just a snub at the overly zealous religious folks, this parable reminds us that God’s kingdom is not about status, appearance, or outward piety. It’s about the heart’s response to God’s invitation that Jesus delivers to us.

Nadia Bolz-Weber reminds us that, “God’s grace is not defined by our worthiness; it’s defined by God’s willingness” to extend grace that knows no bounds.

God's is a radical kind of grace that runs after the drug addict. Embraces the queer kid. And reaches out to those who society has prejudiced and many good Christians have stigmatized. If we are not careful, we can become religious hypocrites whom Jesus describe as “whitewashed tombs” (Matthew 23:27-28). We can look good on the outside but be unclean and full of dead bones on the inside.

The truth is, it’s easy to get stuck in our own opinions and religious routines, forgetting that Jesus ate with tax collectors, embraced lepers, and conversed with women of ill repute. His love wasn't exclusive but a banquet open to all; especially those who are most aware of their brokenness.

Jesus even declares, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17).

If we truly follow Jesus, we'll see others through God's eyes. We will recognize everyone’s inherent worth and dignity. And offer the same mercy, love and grace God gives to us.

But like Barbara Brown Taylor recognizes that, "The hardest spiritual work in the world is to love the neighbor as the self - to encounter another human being not as someone you can use, change, fix, help, save, enroll, convince or control, but simply as someone who springs you from the prison of yourself."

Like I’ve been saying, Jesus transforms us from the inside out. He tells stories like this to get us to see beyond ourselves, especially through our relationships with God and others.

Our true spiritual growth occurs when we, like Mother Teresa, recognize Christ in the most vulnerable and move with compassion to help him. Jesus doesn’t shy from the messy realities of life. He enters it, bringing healing and hope to the entire world. To follow him, is to see everyone as valuable, whether we think they’re worthy or not

I know I have talked about the amazing work of Father Greg Boyle, whose must-read book Tattoos on the Heart reveals the transformative power of loving people this way.

Boyle shows us how to welcome those who were dealt a bad hand at life and to offer them a second chance to at the table. Fr. G, as he is lovingly called, founded Homeboy Industries as a means to redeem some of the most violent gang-members in Los Angeles. He created a safe place to get away from the violence of their family and neighborhoods and provides positive opportunities of growth to those who’ve been written off as worthless.

Over the years, Homeboy has become a beacon of hope that has helped countless people unlock their potential and discover their true worth in God’s family.

​Luis was one such person whose life was transformed from a notorious gangbanger to an award-winning graphic designer. Or Sharkey, who through the power of God’s radical acceptance and love, was able to move from a thug life of hatred and violence to a Christlike life filled with love and mercy.

Instead of fearing these people, Boyle meets them where they are. He shows them compassion, listens to their stories, suffers alongside them, and offers the unconditional love of God that ignites that small, flickering light of Christ within us all.

If you ask me, this is what the Kingdom of God looks like. A kingdom alive in the gritty reality of life; where everyone is worthy of love and belonging, no matter their past.

Like Jesus says, this kingdom is a place where those who jump to the front of line, are the ones who believe Jesus when he says, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 4:17)

Through Christ, we have all been given a second chance. And a shot at true redemption and transformation in the many ways we love God, love others, and serve both with unwavering support and compassion; especially to those Jesus calls, “the least of these my brothers and sisters.” And “When you love them,” he says, “you are loving me.” But he also warns, “When you reject them, or despise and ostracize them, you do the same to me” (Matthew 25:31-46). 

To follow Jesus, is to be like the One who recognizes inherent worth of everyone. We need to look past labels and see people as God sees them - as beloved children. Lest we forget Jesus says, “Let the children come to me, for the kingdom of God is theirs”(Mark 10:14).

We have been called to love our neighbors, not label them. For when we love others where they are and as they are, we reveal our true love for God whose kingdom come is alive within us and all around us.

Henri Nouwen wrote, "We are called to be a community of those who are broken and forgiven, who need one another, who live in the tension between the already and the not yet."

If we care to be such a community that honors God through Christ, we must first examine our own hearts. We must ask ourselves, if there are people or groups we’ve deemed unworthy? Or view as less than us because of our social status or good deeds?

If we take Jesus at his word, then we must take the time and try to truly repent - to ask God to change us to be more like Jesus who offers himself to the world, “So they may have life, and have it abundantly."(John 10:10).

With a new heart of Christ alive in us… we can faithfully leave our comfort zones to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the abused, and advocate for equality and justice for the oppressed and forgotten. Like Jesus states, "I have come down from heaven, not to do my will but to do the will of the One who sent me." (John 6:38)

As we go out into the world, we must remember that Anamesa is more than just a space between us and them. It’s also, you and me. We are the beloved children of God, whose radical love and grace is offered, regardless of who we are or what we’ve done. Jesus calls us to go and give that same love to one another.

If we take Jesus at his word, like the tax-collectors and prostitutes did, then we too will see that God's kingdom is a place where “the first will be last and the last will be first" (Matthew 19:30).

Like Jesus says, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Matthew 23:12).



Work Cited:
​Bolz-Weber, Nadia. Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner and Saint. (New York: Jericho Books, 2013).
Brown Taylor, Barbara. An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith. (New York: Harper Collins, 2009).
Nouwen, Henri. The Wounded Healer. (New York: Doubleday, 1972).

This year my wife and I celebrate 25 years of marriage. To celebrate this big event, we wanted to go Iceland and see the Northern Lights on display. But time and budget didn’t allow us to get there. Instead, we settled to go out on twenty-five dates, roughly two per month.
​
When we set this goal we had no idea the Northern Lights would be on full display throughout the top half of North America, including parts of California. We could see them, if, and it’s a pretty big if, we knew when they would appear. It’s hard to plan for something when you don’t know it’s going to happen. Which means, you’ve always got to be ready.

Similarly, to see God in the space between you have to be fully present. When our heart is heavy from some past pain or when our eyes are so focused on something that will happen in the future, we miss out on the here and now where God meets us.

The night before I left Canada, I walked out into the field at my cousin’s farm to just be alone for a moment to take it all in. It seemed like all the stars of the universe came out to welcome me. Between their celestial flashes, something faint danced in the sky trying to get my attention. It was a pale blue, and a vibrant pinkish-purple. Before I could piece it together, the Northern sky lit up to say hello. I quickly captured a few pictures. And then it was gone.

Looking towards heaven, the International Space Station floated by as I stood in awe knowing God was with me, whispering a special secret between the two of us. How grateful was I to be present enough to receive it. Just as Anamesa is a space we share fellowship together, it’s also the space around us that we share with God. And so Jesus tells us to “Keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come” (Matthew 24:42).

Holy update 1: Trying not to be discouraged by the weather that was keeping my plane home from taking off, I noticed between the thunder and lightning, a beautiful rainbow...and a parked airplane that had SPIRIT scrolled on its tail. 

Holy update 2: Today, as a friend from our church and I were sharing our souls, I as telling her this story when all of a sudden three butterflies swirled and danced overheads. It was the divine dance of the Trinity awakening us in the most unexpected of places. 

For some, old wounds can get picked at. For others, unresolved issues pop up or boil over.  Tempers easily flair as blame gets tossed around like confetti.

Family is hard, but they are who God gives us if for no other reason than to draw us closer together. When we find ourselves stuck in the same old arguments and challenges, it’s good for us to remember that Jesus has this to say.

It’s a pretty simple concept. If you got beef with someone, go sort it out before you even think about coming to church.

If we take Jesus’ advice seriously, I’m afraid no one would be here. Of course, Jesus isn’t only talking about the big blow-ups and fist-fights that can happen, we also have to be mindful of those little grudges we hold onto. The unspoken tensions and unresolved hurts that linger like long, dark shadows in our hearts.

Jesus knows all this stuff matters to God.  Because we matter to God. If we don’t take the time to take inventory of our actions, our unresolved issues will stick around and fester into something toxic. So, Jesus calls us to step out of our comfort zones and make an effort to seek peace with those we've wronged or who have wronged us.

This should be a no brainer. But it’s not. Healing old wounds can take time. And pride often gets in the way. Most of us hold onto anger like a hot coal hoping the other person gets burned.

If you have trouble living up to this ideal Jesus places before us, you’re not alone. The Bible is full of people who mess up big time yet find a way to reconcile. Jacob and Esau overcame their sibling rivalry. Joseph made peace with his brothers who sold him into slavery. Even Jonah, the reluctant prophet, found resolve with God.

Their stories teach us how to own up to our wrongs and mend what is broken. In fact, that’s what the Jewish celebration of Yom Kippur is all about! It’s in the letting go of past wrongs and making things right in the present that we secure peace and unity in the future. And more importantly, it also reveals God’s truth to a hurting world in need of mercy and grace.

Jesus knew this. He’s one of us. He sees people coming to worship God with anger and bitterness on their hearts; approaching the altar more focused on revenge for a brother than on reverence for God. This saying of Jesus forces us to ask ourselves, what good is my gift if I’m only giving it out of some obligatory religious expectation?

Jesus knows the greatest gift we can give God is our heart. He expects us to go beyond temple requirements to a place that transforms the way we see ourselves in relation to God and others.
For Jesus, reconciliation is a sacred rite, a divine act that emphasizes the heart over some outward performance.

He says things like, “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8).

He tells us, “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart” (Luke 6:45).

God knows our heart, and meets us there with grace and love. It is the epicenter of all that is Divine. And reveals who we truly are. 
​
Jesus tells a group of Pharisees who are questioning him about cleanliness rituals, “It’s not what goes into one’s mouth that defiles them, but what comes out; for what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart.”

Thus Jesus commands us “to love God with our whole heart.”  Then he adds, “And love your neighbor as yourself.”

If your heart isn’t good with others, then it’s probably not good with God either.

Which is why Jesus is adamant about reconciling our anger and hurts. So here’s the thing, if we’re going to truly make amends we must speak from the heart, and to the hearts we’ve wounded.

Years ago, I did something out of exhaustion and frustration that I later regretted. Embarrassed by what I said and did, I quickly apologized. But I knew that apology was meaningless because I was merely trying to save face to stop people from being angry with me. Over the course of the few weeks, there was a lingering darkness over me, my soul was heavy and oppressive. 

This great weight was affecting me mentally and spiritually. I knew the only way to get through it would be to swallow my pride and make amends. Like Jesus says, “If you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you” (Mark 11:25).

In AA there’s a saying, “Clean up your side of the street” which encapsulates the essence of taking responsibility for your actions and seeking to repair the harm you’ve caused. I am so grateful that the person I hurt was willing to receive my amends and do the hard work with me to reconcile and repair our relationship, which is now stronger than ever before.

Anyone who has done the 12-step knows how crucial this is to recovering their life. More than just saying “sorry,” it’s about being accountable and changing your behavior in a way that transforms the heart from the inside out.
​
That’s what Jesus’ mission was all about - confronting our conventional wisdom and getting us to repent, change the way we do things…not out of anger or jealousy but out of peace and love.

Jesus knows there’s great healing in forgiveness, whether you are the one asking for it or receiving it. Science backs this up. Studies have shown that chronic stress from unresolved conflicts can lead to various health issues, including cardiovascular disease and weakened immune function. In nearly every healing miracle Jesus performs, forgiveness is present.

Again, it’s in our willingness to forgive and seek reconciliation…that we reveal and reflect our understanding of God’s forgiveness towards us. The Apostle Paul writes, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Col 3:13).

The way I see it, forgiveness starts with God but doesn’t end there. Instead, it extends through us into all our relationships.

The way to do that is to follow in the footsteps of Jesus who teaches, "Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." Or to say the same thing but different, “The measure we give others is the measure that will be given to us.”

If you believe what Jesus says, then why would you embrace anger over love? Or hold a grudge when you could let God’s grace shine through you?

As I always say, to call yourself a Christian means, being like Christ - who made sharing God’s love, mercy and grace his greatest priority. In attempting to do just that, Paul writes, "As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (Romans 12:18). 

Yes, easier said than done.Inevitably you will come in contact with someone you don’t agree with, or like, or maybe someone who has harmed you in the past. It’s in those moments you must ask yourself, will I let go of my ego and anger, or my peace and wellbeing?

Do I really trust and believe it when Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Seeking peace with those who we’ve harmed, or who have harmed us, is the most powerful way we can love God, love others, and serve both.

By living out our life with a forgiving heart and loving awareness, we reveal to the world what God’s love and reconciliation looks like in real time. Jesus says this is more important than any other form of worship.

So, let's commit to making reconciliation a priority in our lives. Let's be intentional about mending fences, bridging divides, and fostering unity as a true holy act of worship.

Let's remember that every relationship is an opportunity for spiritual growth and healing, deepening our connection to God, and to our brothers and sisters. Just as God reconciles the world through Christ Jesus, God invites us to participate in this redemptive work.

Reconciliation is a sacred calling and a divine testament to our capacity for love, empathy, and compassion.

Let us embrace this challenge with courage and determination, knowing that in doing so, we contribute to a more harmonious and just world.

It’s amazing how many people want to adopt a pet tortoise. Within an hour of putting up an online post, we had dozens of willing takers. Sifting through the list of potential parents, my heart sink. What are we doing? Ed is one of us.

​Like my own children, he doesn’t know what he’s doing when he rolls over our shrubs like a Sherman tank or eats through our garden like a salad bar. Yet he knows me and loves to follow me around the yard. To be fair, I chase him around the yard too, cleaning up after him.

When I first read this passage, I’m not going to lie…a particular politician came to mind. I thought I could hold up a picture and read these verses and that could be my entire message. But then the more I sat with this passage, really contemplating each word, the more I began to see how doesn’t name who the false prophet is because, if we’re being honest, it could be any one of us.
 
Biblically speaking, a prophet was someone who spoke for God. Someone like Isaiah who proclaimed God's holiness; warning Israel to live righteously or face the consequences. Prophets are the ones who remind us of what God expects from us like Micah who said, to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly.
 
As you can imagine, they weren’t very popular with those in seats of power. Like Jesus, prophets were always at odds with our conventional wisdom. Which makes sense because we are constantly being led astray from what God asks of us.

So Jesus says, “Beware of false prophets,” the ones who say they’re speaking on God’s behalf but are really seeking to benefit themselves.
 
He goes on to tell us we will know the difference by watching what someone does. One’s actions are a pretty good indicator if they’re for real, or have ulterior motives. I’m sure we’ve all met someone who seemed trustworthy and kind, but then show their true colors often at your expense.
 
It’s a story as old as time. Like when Eve met a snake in the Garden of Eden who claimed to be wise and enlightened. Well, we know how well that worked out (Genesis 3).

Or like in George Orwell’s book, Animal Farm, a pig named Napoleon presents himself as a great leader and benefactor of the other animals. As the story unfolds we discover he’s nothing but a narcissistic tyrant who exploits and betrays the ones he promises to help.
 
Sometimes a person’s deception is so obvious it’s laughable. But most of the time it’s so subtle that you don’t know it happened until it’s too late. Like Jesus says, a tree can look healthy but still produce sour fruit.
 
So how will we know without having to take a bite? I think Paul gives us a perfect metric to go by in his letter to the churches in Galatia. He writes, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…" (Gal. 5:22-23).
 
These nine fruits are the hallmark of a life that’s aligned with God's will. They are hard to fake or disguise. To bear such fruit requires intentionality, effort, and sometimes even sacrifice.

I think this is what Jesus means when he says, “anyone who wants to follow me must pick up their cross” (Matthew 16:24). He puts the onus on us to produce good fruit if we are to follow him.

In a society that often values power over peace, self-interest over kindness, and instant gratification over self-control, it might seem impossible to embody all nine of these fruits. So why not start with one? The fruit of love. According to Jesus, love for God and others “is what all the laws and prophets hangs on” (Matthew 22:37-38).
 
If you love, you will possess real joy. You will create peace. You can show patience, kindness and goodness to even the most difficult of people. Love paves the way to faithfulness. It makes you gentle with others. And guides your life in a way that reveals Christ’s light in the darkness.

So it’s no surprise, Jesus makes love the cornerstone of faith when he commands, “love one another as I love you” (John 13:34-35).
 
From the pulpit, St. Augustine of Hippo asked, "What does love look like?” He answered, “It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like." (Sermon 350, 2)
 
Paul said without love he was nothing. “Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”  (1 Cor. 13:4-7)
 
No wonder Jesus says, “Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back so your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High” (Luke 6:35).
 
Love is the action that cultivates all the other fruits. It recognizes the humanity in others, and acts with compassion and empathy towards them. Love is the power Jesus uses to transform our hearts from the inside out. And the way he draw us closer to God and one another.
 
If a person dresses like a Christian but refuses to love or help someone without conditions, what does that say about their fruit?

Jesus says, “Beware” Don’t follow that person as someone to believe or imitate. Or like he says elsewhere, “You don’t throw pearls to swine” (Matthew 7:6). To follow Christ is to imitate him, to be like him, to love like he does.
 
Which is why it’s imperative to watch Jesus, to study his words, and mimic his actions. He is the way to God, to truth and enlightenment. He says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit…” (John 15:4-5).
 
So here’s the thing…if you are going to call yourself a Christian then you are choosing to bear the fruit of Christ. You are choosing to pick up your cross - no matter the cost or sacrifice.

We have to be mindful of what we do because there are others watching us closely too. They are ready to call us out and prove that our faith is as flimsy as a wet noodle. That doing the will of God is not worth their time.
 
A few years back I did something foolish. But at the time it seemed like the right thing to do. In the middle of worship, I called out some very prominent religious leaders who I believed were the kind of false prophets Jesus warns us about. They talked the talk, but didn’t appear to walk the walk.

So I named them publicly, and asked rather audaciously, “Where is Christ in your Christianity?” What I should have done was ask myself where is Christ in me?
 
Blinded by my own self-righteousness, I actually believed I was better than they were. The fruit of my action was no different than theirs. The thing is, Jesus never belittles or shames or pressures anyone to follow him - he just pours his love upon them and leaves it up to us to do the same.
 
We are either good fruit or bad. We either love and accept all people as God does, or not. But Jesus makes it very clear when he says, “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
 
To take the name of Christ while refusing to bear his fruit is no different than a politician telling people what they want to hear to get their vote. Everything we say and do is a choice we make on how we will reveal God’s glory on this side of eternity.
 
As we move through Anamesa, we all must ask ourselves, “Will I choose to reflect the character of Jesus? Will I commit to living a life where I actually love God, love others, and serve both?”
 
Will I support leaders who best embody these spiritual fruits? Will I advocate for policies that care for the marginalized.

Will I stand for love not hate; build bridges not walls; and engage with people respectfully even if I disagree with them? Will I care for my neighbors despite their race, gender or sexual orientation?
 
As Basil the Great wrote, "A tree is known by its fruit; a person by their deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love." (Letter 93)
 
Love is the way they will know our fruits, and we will know theirs. Good produces good. Bad produces bad. It really is that simple.
 
So let us go out into this space between heaven and earth, growing and nurturing the fruit of Christ-like love. Remembering the words St. Catherine of Siena who encouraged us to, "Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire." (Letter T368)​

Through Christ we have been given the Holy Spirit to light up the world so all can see God’s glory. In doing so, may we come before our Lord who say, “Well done, good and faithful servant! Come and share your master's happiness!" (Matthew 25:21).