Preaching:
Rev. Frenchye Magee
Message Title:
"Seeing and Being Seen: The Power of Vulnerability"
Reflection:
This week, instead of hearing a Gospel illustration, our short series on
The
Art of Neighboring
concludes with a determinative statement from a brief epistle on love.
The writer moves us out of conceptual theology into practical consideration with a clear proclamation:
“those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen” (v20).
For the last two weeks, we have been engaged in exercises of sight. Hopefully, we’ve learned some details about the “people in our neighborhood” that have helped us draw our circle of community wider. More hopefully, perhaps we have brought the gift of God’s love to each interaction.
Perhaps many of us have learned something about vulnerability: that visiting our neighbors requires us to become visible to them, just as they are visible to us. Like the Christ we follow, being a neighbor asks us to carry the weight of being seen, to let our spirituality become something more than private piety. In a world where religious mystery is seen as the cover for dangerous exercises of power, what impact could you and I have if the people around us saw a new model of joy in open, genuine relationship that recognized their inclusion in God’s community?
For the Children and Their Parents/Guardians:
Many of you have a moment when you first encounter your peers for the day. At the school bus stop, as you enter the classroom, at the breakfast table at day care. When you see your peers - your neighbors - what do you like to do? Do you ever make a point of saying "Hi!" to everyone? Does anyone get a smile to start their day? How about a good ol' high five? It can be an amazing feeling to have these fun connection moments to start off the day. Think about other kids as your neighbors and how you want to treat them. Brainstorm with your family on how you can set up a great day with your neighbors!
