It has been a great week to be an Episcopalian. Presiding Bishop Curry’s amazing sermon at the royal wedding has given him, and by extension all of us, a lot of positive attention and praise. I have seen his appearances on Good Morning America, the View and the epic portrayal on Saturday Night Live, and my pride at being a member of this church has only increased.
We are now the church that stands for love. And really, we have always been. But the nagging question is, so what? What will we do with this moment to extend its profound effect on the church and the Jesus Movement? How will we take advantage of the moment to God’s honor and glory?
The low hanging fruit is clearly to talk about the church. The opening is there, “what about that sermon???”. The follow up is to tell your own story, why you come to church, why you love God and how you do that in the world. What does love mean? Come and see. It should be the easiest ever to invite someone to come to church, or at least to an event. You might even mention the great sermons every week…
And it can’t end there. Because we aren’t special because we love one another. How challenging is that? We are all pretty nice people who get along most of the time. We are a community identified with Jesus because we love our neighbor, as ourselves. So bringing people to church is great. It gives us energy and inflames our passion for justice and compassion.
But, the hard part in all of this is that people will be watching to see if we demonstrate this love in the world. Love is the way, and we have to show to what. Jesus is the example, and we have to show of what. This is a moment to reach out, to reach further, to show love in action by how we treat the world. Maybe even by saying no to hatred, violence and meanness. Now is the time to be constant and consistent in bringing the love of God into the world.
So come to church this summer and bring your friends. Come to the food pantry, the produce giveaway, and the women’s coffee. Come when we volunteer with the Boys and Girls club, or visit with people at the Red Door Café. Sit at the table at the Arts Fest and tell stories and extend the invitation. When you buy the hygiene items or the extra toilet paper, tell the store clerk or the person with you in line why.
Love is the way isn’t theory. We make it practice, practical, every day. How will you support our Presiding Bishop’s message?