Monday after Epiphany

Lectionary: 212

We receive from him whatever we ask,
because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
And his commandment is this:
we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ,
and love one another just as he commanded us.

As Americans become more and more cynical about politics, politicians and public life in general, Christians must recommit themselves to our solidarity as friends, colleagues, co-workers and disciples of Christ. Saint John describes our community under the two commandments of fidelity to the name of Jesus and love for one another. 

We are not a special interest group like the AARP, the NRA, or NOW. They represent only the demands of the individual members and disdain the common good. Our interest must always be the common good, whether it is the life of the unborn, education of the young, justice for those accused or convicted of crime, or health care of the sick and elderly. When the Church complains about being victimized by the government or the press, the public rightly suspects we have strayed into a hinterland of special interest

Our public concern always begins with our commitment to one another. Even as married couples bless their children by making their marriage number one priority, so must the Church sustain its internal harmony. We maintain a kindly disposition toward everyone; but we go the extra mile to nurture good relations with one another. Jesus’ command -- Love one another -- requires that of us. We respect, admire and care for one another: old and young, male and female, liberal and conservative.

Membership in the Church is the narrow gate.

• Do we have differences? We’ll seek reconciliation. 
• Do we have misunderstandings? We'll express ourselves more clearly and listen more intently? 
• Do we unconsciously offend one another or take offense from one another? We try all the harder to respect one another’s sensibilities.

The narrow gate of fellowship is that constant striving to live and work in peace with one another. There is no point in common works if the workers do not trust, appreciate, enjoy and care for one another. If 60% favor a project and 40% are opposed, we should do nothing -- because our most important contribution is our unanimity, not our public works.

Jesus sent us to represent God to a world that would rather be godless. Because God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are One God, the Community of Disciples strives for oneness. Rugged individualists, lone rangers, mavericks, misanthropes and narcissists need not apply.