Community Congregational Church of Chula Vista UCC (276 F St)

Sermon for February 24, 2019

The Sermon on the Plain- Part II

Luke 6: 27-38

Rev. Liz Aguilar

 

We continue today in the same area of the Gospel of Luke as last week. You may recall from last week that we read about Jesus’s sermon on the Plain (otherwise known as “The Sermon on the Mount) in Matthew. Last week it was about the blessings and “woes/warnings.” Today we make our way through Jesus’s sermon some more.

Please do refer to the scripture found on pages 64 and 65 in your pew Bible.

 

You’ll notice that some of these scripture verses have become very well known, especially one called the “golden rule.” But in general, we can say that this scripture portion has to do with how one is to treat those who have done wrong to you. Here, Jesus challenges us to be gracious, forgiving, and to ultimately extend God’s grace to all around us.

Those are easier said than done, though, aren’t they?

 

This Friday I treated myself to a movie- Friday is my sabbath and I try to do something I wouldn’t normal do- not just errands but also something fun. I decided to watch the movie, “The Green Book.” 

The film is inspired by the true story of a tour of the deep south by an African-American classical and jazz pianist named, Dr. Don Shirley, and an Italian-American bouncer named Jimmy Vallalonga who served as Shirley’s driver and bodyguard.

In the movie- we see how these two very different men learn to get along and respect one another, despite their big differences. One is a working-class Italian immigrant who lives in the Bronx and the other is a very well-educated, very cultured, accomplished, professional musician who is African-American.

 

They travel together through the south so that Dr. Shirley can perform a series of concerts. As they travel along, Dr. Shirley is confronted by racism almost at every stop along the way.

 

His body guard becomes very angry and at first wants to beat up everyone who treats Dr. Shirley badly. However, Dr. Shirly teaches “Jimmy the Lip” how to rise above it, hold oneself with dignity, and keep going.

You can quickly put yourself in his shoes and you are made to wonder if you would react in that same way- standing up for yourself but not giving into violence.

 

In our scripture of today- Jesus says to give the other cheek if someone strikes you. To give money to those who ask of it, and expect nothing in return. To forgive. To treat others as you would want to be treated…

 

I wonder- have any of you ever had anyone do anything really bad to you. something that was very hard to forgive and that you will probably never forget?

 

Some of us might be tempted to think that Jesus’s words were easy at the time. That the people he would have been speaking to would have had easier lives. But they did not. They would have been confronted by betrayal, robbery, violence, conflict. Some would have been familiar with the stories of the prophets, Moses, the Israelites- Cane and Abel; David and Saul; Esau and Jacob- all of these famous rivalries.

 

Those who were traveling would have been confronted easily with thieves, people wanting to cause them harm. So no, these words wouldn’t have been easy to receive or accept.

 

So what about you. What about me?

 

I want to share with you a story that happened in the life of my family. My father came to the US and went to Chicago as an immigrant from Mexico. He had written to his half brothers whom had extended their welcome to him, letting him know that they would be available to help him out. Much to my father’s surprise, his half-brother’s wife did not allow my father to stay with them or even enter the house the first day he arrived.

Years later after my father had become a minister my uncle and his wife attended a worship service. My father introduced him to us kids. Later, I remembered who he was and what he had done to my dad many years prior.

My uncle and aunt had come to the church hoping that my father would help my uncle to find a job. My dad did just that. He still had connections at the hospital he had worked at for 12 years as a respiratory therapist, and helped my uncle secure a good job as a custodian. My uncle remained in that job until he retired many years later.

I remember I must have harbored bad feelings toward my uncle because my father would tell me, “you must forgive your uncle.” Had my dad not forgiven him and had not helped him out, my uncle’s life would have been much different. 

 

Forgive. Walk on. Extend Grace…

Amen.

 

 

Sermon: Beatitudes For Today

February 17, 2019

Text is Luke 6:17-31

Sixth Sunday of Epiphany

Rev. Elizabeth Aguilar

 

We are still in the season of Epiphany, when the church still celebrates the many ways God reveals Himself to the world; both in scripture, in history and in our own lives, today.

You may have recognized this text as they are so close to the famous Sermon on the Mount scripture portion found in Matthew, but it is not the Sermon on the Mount. This is called the Sermon on the Plain. Luke’s version is shorter than Mathew’s and the setting is not on a mountain but down below, signifying Jesus’s desire to be on the same level as his followers.

And when this story takes place is notable as well. It is still early on in Jesus’s ministry but by now he has made a name for himself. We read that he is known and large crowds have followed him. Could we say, that he has reached “celebrity status” by now?

Speaking of celebrities- do any of you watch annual award shows? Maybe some of you are genuinely interested in who won best song of the year or who will win best actor, director, picture… Or pershaps some of you might tune in just to see what these celebrities are wearing?

Whatever your motivation is watch or at least read the news article the next day that high-lights the winners; one thing we can agree on is that what these folks have in common is their celebrity. They are famous.

Well, Jesus did not have the expensive clothes or pubicity but we get these sense that by now, when this story occurs, he is well known. We read that he is so well known that people from all over- not just Gentiles are following Him. They want so much to be healed and to be blessed by him that they just try to touch Him, even.

We get the idea. Jesus is popular.

But, notice what Jesus decides to teach about. It isn’t about being popular or being powerful is it? No, in fact this whole discourse is a reversal of fortunes from the rich to the poor, the powerful to the powerless, the full to the empty.

We can actually say that this portion is not an easy one to read. It isn’t as poetic as the Sermon on the Mount, is, either. It is full of not just blessings but of woes. We can call these woes- warnings. For they are not the kind of woes where we think, “woe is us, something bad is happening and I need God’s help.” No, these woes are more like warning, as in “be careful not to do x or y will happen.”

Let’s be honest, we don’t like these kind of texts, do we? We like meek and mild Jesus. We like Jesus when he is healing and when he is calling others to follow Him and even when he is reminding his followers of how they are to treat one another. But this kind of discourse- this is hard. For we do not just see a Jesus in Luke’s Gospel that is only focusing on the good in others but a Jesus that is naming a truth that we do not like to confront. This Jesus of Luke is a Jesus that some liberation theologians say, preached a “preferential treatment for the poor.” That is, that Jesus lifts up the real hardships of people and exposes the rich and powerful for the ways in which they take advantage of the poor.

As Jesus’s popularity grows, of course, we see that His enemies grow too. In fact, in just a few weeks we will enter into the time of Lent where we will look at the ways in which his enemies begin to plan and connive to eventually kill and attempt to destroy Him. His light was too big. They had to snuff it out somehow.

But, here, Jesus is still liked and yet He took the risk to speak these very hard words. Words that surely would not have been received very well by everyone- anyone who WASN’T poor and powerful, that is.

But what are we to make of it? What do we do when we confront scripture passages that make us feel uncomfortable or confused? When we see a Jesus that is not so meek and mild, for instance?

What do we do when we are confronted with our own behavior?

Well, I can not answer those questions for you. For the spiritual walk of the Disciple is done in community but each individual must come to their own conclusion.

This sermon does not have a lot of answers for you. But it does have good news- which is that Jesus meets us with our questions and calls us to not only look at our own behavior and our own priorities- whether we share our resources with others or not. Whether we treat others with love and respect or not. But Jesus helps us to acknowledge ourselves in light of His truth and His teachings and then gives us opportunities to make changes if needed.

A good friend recently came to visit me. She and her husband. The husband had never really spoke to o me about his faith walk but we found ourselves talking about it since he is about to get baptized. I was curious to know why he was doing so as an adult and what made him feel that this was the time.

Before he could answer that question he spoke about what his theological dilemmas were while he was a youth and why had had put off making a decision to follow Christ because of those theological dilemmas.

He said that the problem he had had for many years was that he was confused with what he saw as a very vengeful God in the Hebrew Scriptures and a very loving God in the New Testament. Later he said he learned through Bible study and “remaining open” is that we have many facets of God in both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament. The God of consequences and warnings is not about condemning us but about growing us into the disciples that He wants us to be. The Jesus of the New Testament isn’t just the sweet baby i the manger but is also the man who had very hard things to say to His followers.

        The conversation I had with my friend’s husband and this difficult scripture made me think that although we might not always like what scripture says it is there for us to study, to contemplate and to reflect upon in order so that we may grow in our own faith. It is the living word, not just words written for communities long ago but for today as well.

        That is the God we worship and we serve. The God that lovingly brings up a mirror to us so that we can look at our own actions and behaviors but then also walks alongside of us waiting, prompting, pushing, but always pouring His grace in us.

 

 

 

 

Amazing Love

Sermon for February 4, 2019

I Corinthians 13:1-13; Jeremiah 1:4-10

 

I have not had to perform many wedding ceremonies. Less and less people want to get married in a sanctuary or by a minister. You can just ask a friend to marry you now and all they need to do is order an ordination certificate on-line to make it “legit!” But, the few ceremonies I have done almost always the couple have requested that one of the scripture readings be this famous portion of Corinthians. You’ve heard it in many a wedding ceremony yourself, right? It is beautiful and we can see why it can be understood as “the” wedding scripture over time.

 

However, it wasn’t written to be directed toward a couple that was about to get married. Paul wrote it for his church- the Corinthian church that I spoke about last week. The church that was in its infancy, the one that Paul had founded but now he’s away and writes to them because he has heard reports about their less than kind behavior toward one another. That church.

 

Paul’s words to his beloved church are beautiful and simple. That is- although they might have all kinds of spiritual gifts, if they don’t have love none of their gifts matter.

 

But what about the Jeremiah scripture? What would this very wild, out there kind of story, about the prophet Jeremiah’s call have anything to do with this scripture text from I Corinthians? (I’m glad you asked!)

 

First, notice the exchange that happens between Jeremiah and God. What was Jeremiah’s reaction to God’s command that Jeremiah speak for Him? Well, it was of great reluctance. Jeremiah focuses on who he is as a person- “I am only a boy” is his first reason to say no. The second was that he didn’t know how to speak. But God being God, gets His way and doesn’t let Jeremiah hide behind his fear. Instead, GOd focuses on God’s plan for Jeremiah- namely that it is GOd who will speak for Jermiah. It is God who will BE with Jeremiah and it is God who will “command” Jeremiah to be a prophet. In other words, Jeremiah didn’t have a choice.

 

Well, today we have choices, don’t we?

In fact, going back to weddings- that is the ONE thing I always tell couples. I have reminded them that loving someone is a choice. You must CHOOSE to love that person. No matter what. It isn’t a feeling because believe me sooner or later you won’t FEEL much love for that person. But if you choose to LOVE that person you will find a way.

 

The same is with a church. Paul was speaking to his church and today we, our little church here in down town Chula Vista is being reminded of the same. We must chose to love one another.

We may have all the great ministries in the world. We might have all the great music in the word (and we do!) We might have the best deacons, trustees, Christian ed members, Sunday school teachers (they are awesome by the way!) BUt, if we don’t have love, it won’t work.

 

Now my own call story wasn’t quite as dramatic as Jeremiah’s. I’m not sure anyone’s, was! But what I do remember is my reluctance. For me it came over time and not just on one occasion. For me it was over a summer. The summer I turned 18. THen it went on through college and then seminary. BUt even though I was in seminary I was reluctant to accept my call. Like Jermiah, I didn’t think I had what it took. You see, I was focused on me instead of on what God could do through me. I was focused on my fear instead of what God’s plan was for me. So my call took several important conversations, prayers, experiences I will never forget…

 

Mentors, and what I believe were a series of confirmations from God that it was indeed what God wanted for my life.

But I don’t want to focus today on my own call. I share it because I think it’s important that you get to know me and for you to understand that for most clergy there is a period of doubt and reluctance. But what I want to focus on is on you. On your call.

Some of you might think you already know what you are called to do- to be the best dad there is. To be the best mom there is. To be a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. All those are wonderful.

 

But, today I want to encourage you to either ask God what it is that God is calling you to do now, at this time in your life and then to re-claim your call. What is your call about? If you’re not sure, ask God to make it clear to you.

 

If you are sure but still afraid to accept it, ask God  to encourage you. If you are reluctant because of certain bad behavior or a sin that is in the way, ask God for forgiveness.

 

But today, as we approach communion let us ask God to help us accept his call, renew the call and to do what ever God has asked us to do with much love. Let us remember that in the end it isn’t about us and what we can or can not do- it is about what GOd can and wants to do through us. It is about God’s love and amazing grace being poured into us every day. Enough grace to face the hard times. Enough grace to let go of the fear or the doubt. Enough grace to give us courage and a fresh perspective. Enough grace. God’s grace. God’s love.

 

Let us celebrate God’s love through communion and through our re-dedication to God’s call in our lives. Amen.

Sermon for January 27, 2019

Third Sunday After Epiphany

Text- I Corinthians 12:12-27

Title: “Called As Partners in Christ’s Service”

 

 

This letter was written by the Apostle Paul, the most influential missionary that there ever was. He wrote this letter to the church he founded in the city of Corinth which was a large, bustling city, comprised of people from many other countries and cultures, religious traditions and norms. Paul wrote this letter in response to the reports he had received regarding how the church had been doing after his departure from them.

Both a sense of hyper spirituality and pagan worship were influencing the members of this church. So, Paul now addresses them, reminding them of their role as individual Christians and also their goal as a Christian church.

Now, we do not have the problems that this original church had. But I love that we can learn something from this far from perfect church. The portion we just read is very well known. Paul uses the example of the human body to make an analogy of a church.

Basically, he reminds them that although each part of a body has different functions not one part is more important than the other. Moreover, he goes on to say that no matter who they are- Jewish, Greek, slave or free, they are all equal and all made to drink of the same Holy Spirit.

What do you think he meant by saying drink of the Holy Spirit?

Well, according to the classic commentator, Matthew Henry, he believes that “being animated by one Holy Spirit, makes Christians one body.”

I must pause here. Because much has been said and taught about the Holy Spirit which has caused some confusion over the years by many in the Church. It is almost easier to speak of what the Holy Spirit isn’t than what it is. The Holy Spirit which at one time was referred to as the Holy Ghost, unfortunately, is not a ghost. The Holy Spirit is the third person in the trinity and is God’s presence and power in the world. The Holy SPirit is what gives us the desire to worship and serve in God’s name. The Holy Spirit is the part of God that gives us the gifts to serve, to worship, and to be filled with God’s joy.

Some would say that you do not in fact have to refer to the Holy Spirit as a separate thing, so some people now refer to the Holy Spirit as just Spirit or Holy Spirit, leaving off the clause, “the” therefore making it more accessible and user friendly, sort to speak.

Sadly, in the main line Protestant tradition, I do not think we have placed enough importance on the Holy Spirit, while there are other traditions that probably place too much importance on the Holy Spirit.

But, notice that Paul simply reminds them that they are indeed meant to drink of the Holy Spirit- in other words, go to the Holy Spirit and be quenched by the Holy Spirit.

Let’s go back now to Paul stating that all are equal members of the same body. Recently, as I was hanging a picture up on my wall I recalled how during that vacation I managed to sprain my ankle. I was on vacation in lovely Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I had been given the opportunity to stay at a lovely cottage which was only a five-minute walk from the ocean, for free! My mom and niece had flown out there to spend the week with me. It was a new experience for all of us to be that close to the ocean for a whole week.

Well, on one morning, we were rushing to leave and I quickly put on some sandals that I normally didn’t wear because they weren’t too comfortable or functional. They were cute but not really meant to be walking around a lot in. (You know the kind of sandals I’m talking about, ladies.) Well, I jumped off the deck and onto to grass, wanting to rush to the car.

I didn’t notice there was a small whole in the grass and managed to sprain my right ankle. All I remember is that I experienced the sharpest most horrible pain I had ever felt before, in my life.

My mom had to drive me to a nearby UCC church that lent out crutches to vacationers and I went to see a doctor in an emergency room. Sure enough, they said it had been fractured several places but not broken. I remember they said it would have been better had it been broken than just a sprain as it would have healed better and quicker.

Well, I didn’t believe them. I figured if I did all that they told me to do- ice it, bandage it, keep my weight off to it, begin to go see a physical therapist, that it wouldn’t be a big deal. I would heal and go on with my living.

Ha! I lasted a good 4 months not being able to walk right. The pain persisted. The physical therapist told me to go more often. I used crutches longer than I wanted to. I could’ve drive comfortably… One of my co-workers had to help me get in and out of the car every day…My neighbors helped with groceries. Oh brother! This was not how I had wanted to spend that summer at all!

I remember trying to compensate. I put more weight on my other leg but that only managed to make my left hip hurt. I was a mess. What I thought was a simple injury wasn’t at all. I learned that summer how important my ankles were, my legs, my hips, and yes, my body, in general.

I say this long story to tell you that I could appreciate what Paul says here when I think about that summer. We need our whole body to function well. Every single part of our body is indeed, important. Any of you who have had an injury or who live with on-going pain in some part or parts of your body know what I am talking about. Indeed, after I turned 40, I realized that I couldn’t just take me body for granted.

It suddenly mattered what I ate, if I slept enough, what I drank, if I exercised or not…I never took my body for grant it after that, not any one part of it.

Well, we are indeed, all equal members of this body of Christ. God is the head of the body but We are all needed.

Today we will meet as a body of Christ during our annual meeting.

What an opportunity it will be to celebrate all that this body of Christ has done and will do. What an opportunity to re-dedicate ourselves as individual parts of the body of Christ to God’s service. What an opportunity ask God in prayer to keep this body of Christ healthy, able to work in one accord, not against itself in any way. It is an opportunity to lift up the fact that indeed it takes every member of this church to make this church work in the manner in which God has called it to work.

Now, I want to ask you a question. What part of the body of Christ are you? Using the analogy of a body. Are you an arm? Are you an eye, an ear, a leg, or maybe an organ like the heart or the lungs? What part of Christ’s body of this church are you?

You might not be able to answer that question but it is a fun one to contemplate. Not only is it fun but it invites us to give God thanks that we, although are unique and different from one another, we are all each and every one of us needed.

You’ve heard me say that one of my favorite theologians is Henri Nouwen who wrote the following about community. It might help us to reflect further on how each part of the body of Christ is important.

“Community is like a large mosaic. Each little piece seems so insignificant. One piece is bright red, another cold blue or dul green another warm purple, another sharp yello, another shining gold. Some look precious, others ordinary. Some look valuable, others worthless. Some look gaudy, others delicate. As individual stone, we can do little with them except compare them and judge their beauty and value. When, however, all these little stones are brought together in one big mosaic portraying the face of Christ, who would ever question the importance of any one of them? If one of them, even the least spectacular one is I missing, the face is incomplete. Together in the one mosaic, each little stone is indispensable and makes a unique contribution to the glory of God. That’s community, a fellowship of little people who together make God visible in the world.” (From The Only Necesary Thing by Henri Nouwen. Crossword Publishing Company. New York, 1999.)

I pray that we can continue to grow as a healthy body of Christ. That we can be patient when one part of the body is hurt or weak. That we can care for each and every member as if we were caring for ourselves.

This requires patience, respect, and love. Then, let us rejoice that God, being the head of this body of Christ is with us, directing us, giving us wisdom and purpose. Let us not get tired of lifting one another up in prayer, in friendship, in partnership so that indeed all parts of this body can work as God wants it to work. Amen.

 

 

“God is Love”

Sermon for January 20, 2019

Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend

Text is 1 John 4: 7-12,16-21

 

Some of the most famous scriptures is found in this portion of John’s letter. It is simply jam packed with a lot of important theology that has become core to our faith as Christians.

One might say that the whole of the Christian faith is found in this portion. John sums up what, (with time), became to be known as- classic atonement theology. Thi is the belief that Jesus came to die for our sins. That he was sent from God to live, die and be sacrificed for our sins so that we wouldn’t have to pay the ultimate price.

Now, notice that John couches this atonement theology around the teaching that God is love and that it was out of God’s love that God chose to do this, for us. Moreover, that God loved us SO much that God would indeed Sacrifice God’s only Son for us.

Again, all of this is couched around love. And love is what I want us to focus on this morning. But, before I do, I must confess that this is no small undertaking. Not because I do not know what love is or believe that God loves me and God loved humanity so much that God sent God’s son, Jesus Christ for us. Of course, I believe all of that.

What is difficult about this portion is not only the enormity of the content of the message but that every single verse is packed with some incredible meaning and truth.

Look at it (please open your Bibles.) Take a moment. Read some of the verse over again to yourself. What stands out to you? Then, keep reading. What else stands out to you? So much, right? Maybe all of it?!

If you are like me, I ended up loving every single sentence and verse in this portion.

Now, I have heard and have read and have studied this portion of scripture many times. Again, it is pretty famous. But, to read it in light of ALL that has been happening in our world and in our country and in light of the anniversary of Martin Luther King’s birthday- well, that is very significant as well.

And so, I begin by confessing that I will not be able to do this scripture justice today. There is no way. However, I trust that God’s Holy Spirit will use this sermon to at least begin to speak to you about the beauty and the enormity of this scripture verse and the huge significance and ramifications it might have for you as an individual and as a member of a family of faith, of society and of the world, as well.

Right away, John does not waste time- He states, “beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God.”

Wow, the order of the day was for the early church (who would have heard this scripture read out loud) to receive this very important instruction- which was to love one another.

Fine, then John goes on to base this instruction on the revelation of love through the person and the work of Jesus Christ.

Then, he goes on to say that indeed, if God is Love, then we ought to love as well. That because God lives in us, love is made perfect through us.

And I want to pause right there. I was so taken aback when I read and studied this portion again. Because what popped out to me is when John is states that “God’s love is made perfect through us.” Could that mean then that somehow God’s love, although is perfect already, does not become real and tangible and perhaps even MORE perfect until God’s love is worked through us and shared with others?

Think about it. If God, who is perfect and loves us, gives us love and then that love is made perfect “through us” then that must mean that somehow God needs us to carry out this love.

That is humbling and yet amazing, isn’t it? That God needs us to do God’s work in the world. Yes, God can do anything God wants to do but God’s needs us- as flawed and as imperfect as we are to be God’s love in the world. To show others what God’s love looks like. God does this to allow us to bring positive change and healing in this world.

You see, God needed to show us what God looked like and so God sent Jesus Christ. Then once the Holy Spirit came upon Him and filled the disciples on that day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit filled them and they in turn were able to do God’s work in the world.

Many centuries later, we are products of those disciple’s ministry and then the product of other disciples and so on.

Someone we knew showed us what God’s love looked like, (spoke to us, yes), but also showed us what love looked like. I want you to think of who that person (or persons) were who showed you what God’s love looks like; someone that not only told you that God loves you but showed you what God’s love is all about.

Was it a parent? Was it a youth minister? A Sunday school teacher? A neighbor? A significant other? A friend in school?

Who showed you that God is love and that God’s love is made real in the way that people love one another- with respect, kindness, patience, honor?

For me- it was my parents and then I would have to say it was my teachers at my Lutheran grammar school, I attended. Later, it was Sunday school teachers and youth group ministers. God used all of these people to show me that God’s love is made real in the world when I chose to love someone. When I serve someone else. When I do random acts of kindness not out of self-gain or ambition or conceit but because it is the right thing to do.

Friends, you have shown God’s love to one another for many years here. I now join you. You have seen God’ love in the way that you serve God together in this church, in this community and throughout the world with your tithes, mission money, collections, donation, in how you chose to speak to one another with kindness. In how you greet one another. In how to work side by side with one another, in your hugs, in your kind notes, in your prayers for one another, in going out of the way for one another. You are already doing the work that God has called you to do as a community of faith.

However, on this Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend I want to challenge you to do even more. Show radical love to someone you don’t like. Be love to someone who seems loveless. Show forgiveness to someone who has hurt you. Chose not to hurt someone who has hurt you. Be kind to someone who is usually unkind to you. Speak to someone who looks different than you. Chose to believe that people are just doing the best that they can instead of demand that they do things perfectly the first time around. Be patient in your dealings with someone who might not work or think or act as quickly as you.

Who is it in your life that God is calling to love? Who is it in your life that you might have written off as an enemy but God is reminding you through this scripture that if you say you love God (whom you have not seen) you can’t go on hating someone that you have seen?

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s central message was love. He was able to be the leader that he was and preach, teach, demonstrate, motivate, non-violence because he continued to focus and live out this commandment- to love one another, no matter how vile, and horrible someone behaved toward him and the people that looked like him.

Friends, we are called today, perhaps more than we have (in any recent years) to choose love, to act on love, to show great love for another. Because if we do not hate wins, sin wins, evil wins, and we- humanity will in turn lose.

We will lose all that we hold most dear- democracy, independence, freedom, real security, basic human dignity.

And then let us not forget that love does cast out all fear. Then fear and fear mongering will never win. That is not love.

I remember meeting a young woman who had parents whom she feared. Not out of respect but out of real fear. She did not act normally. She could not socialize like the rest of us. She never seemed happy. It was fleeting. She was afraid of everything and everyone it seemed. She did not love herself because those who were supposed to love her did not show her love. They showed her fear, instead.

Then when I was a little older, I came across young women who feared their boyfriends and later their husbands. I came across people who were straight, others who were gay who lived with partners who were abusive. They were told that that was love- if they did and acted like their sick partner demanded that they act and behave, or dress. But that was not real love, that we control, that was fear, that was manipulation, that was being a bully.

Then when I began to work, I came across a boss who spoke very unkindly toward his workers. He did not do so toward me because he knew my parents. At first, I thought I was lucky. Sometimes I thought I was special. But then I realized that as long as he treated others with disrespect it didn’t matter how he treated me. I couldn’t go on pretending all was well, when my co-workers were suffering.

Later, I learned what racism and discrimination were- when people made fun of my parent’s accent and assumed that they were unintelligent b/c they spoke with an accent.

I lived it first hand when professors told me that they didn’t expect me to do well because after all I had attended public schools and I was a daughter of immigrants. This, from professors at the Christian university I attended… And so, because nothing was expected of me, I performed very much below my potential. I wasn’t the excellent student I had been in high school or later in seminary where I had teachers who believed in me, who respected me, who loved me.

Indeed, nothing good come out of fear, out of hate, out of control manipulation, disrespect, discrimination, or racism. We live in a world full of examples of that. Let us make the difference. Let US be the ones to show our co-workers what love looks like. Let us be the one to show our classmates what love looks like. Let us show our family members what love looks like. Let us be the Church that shows this community what love looks like.

“God is love and those who love God must love their brother and sisters also.” Amen.