A Thought for August 13

August 13, 1727, Berthelsdorf, Germany, the Renewed Moravian Church was born. The Spirit descended in the midst of Holy Communion and they were changed. The people responded at the end of the day,

"We learned to love!" 



The Moravian motto has been

In essentials, unity;
In non-essentials, liberty;
In all things, love.

 Perhaps then, LOVE is the #1 essential? After all, God IS love and we remember that God so LOVED the world... Yet, too often, we hate and divide. We judge, blame, point fingers, seek to build ourselves at the expense of others.

How then, in an age of division, can we again learn what it means to love? Ah, but love attracts less attention than attacking. No one gets hurt, no great headlines can be written, no "Film at 11:00!" because love is much deeper. Everyone gets hurt when we hate- and it makes for good ratings.

How do we love when all around us there are calls to yell, get angry, shake the hateful fist, retaliate?

How do we stand for the work of the Holy Spirit when the Spirit and the Word have been undermined by a culture of division where those who are different are an enemy?

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.