Tag Archives: community

June 30, 2011 · 12:32 pm

The Root of Freedom

So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36)

True freedom isn’t found through political struggle, economic independence, or rugged individualism. Freedom comes ultimately through the heart alone. When we honestly look at ourselves, we find some level of both brokenness and beauty. Despite any of our gifts, we can’t be complete on our own. Realities of the world limit us. We need help. We need others. We need Christ. It might not seem to make sense, but rooted in relationship, we discover the meaning of true freedom.

In a healthy (not perfect) community founded on the love of Christ, we best discover a glimpse of who God created us to be. Whether or not we come from troubled homes or seem to have no one to call our own, we discover ourselves as part of a larger human family and purpose. Love, trust and mutuality help us mature and flourish. Forgiveness received and given makes us and others new. Shared service brings healing. We are never the center of the universe, but we discover our uniqueness can be used to bless others and our world. Best of all, through such a loving communion, we are drawn more deeply into the heart of all life and love, Jesus Christ himself.

Yes, we will all remain human, weak, and imperfect. The social structures that surround us will likely continue to reflect the brokenness inherent within each human heart. Yet despite these “realities”, Christ makes us free to love. Trusting him, we can therefore choose to bravely claim and embody the love given us first. Imperfect as we are, right now, no matter the risk or cost, we can seek to establish heart to heart relationships in his name. Within these relationships, we live out the gift of reconciliation, accept differences, and are empowered to help address any doubts and darkness within ourselves and our world. Miracles will happen. Hand in hand and guided by grace, we will experience the true freedom and transforming power found uniquely within the communion of saints. Rooted together in Christ, new life will most certainly grow.

Peace to you, and Happy Independence Day!

Pastor Lou

The above pastoral letter was originally published in Messiah Lutheran Church and School’s newsletter, The Messenger (July 2011 edition). To view the entire issue of The Messenger or to see the full calendar of events, visit: http://www.mlcas.org

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) translation.

© 2011 The Rev. Louis Florio. All contents not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.

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June 7, 2011 · 4:22 pm

Rest, relaxation, and restoration

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.(2 Cor. 13:11)

After the work of creation, God rested. In the Law of Moses, both people and animals are granted a day of rest (a sabbath day, from the Hebrew meaning “to cease”). Despite the urgency of his mission, Jesus often models healthy self-care by worshiping on the sabbath, spending time in fellowship with those he loves, and taking time away from his responsibilities for prayer and rest in the mountains alone. He does all this while never losing sight of his purpose. Yes, God’s plan for us includes rest, relaxation, and restoration – alone as well as together in relationship with others – for our call although sometimes difficult is always meant to lead to new life.

In our society, we can too often lost sight of this. As a result, we can confuse our work with who we are. We can become addicted to our work or wrongly believe everything is up to us. We hesitate to take time to rejuvenate and keep ourselves and our relationships healthy, including our relationship with Christ and his church. We can become perfectionist or selfish, reaping rewards of status or wealth while ignoring the needs of others. If we do go on a vacation, we can come back more tired than when we left, or the opportunity can be mistakenly seen as all about us and our needs. In short, we can become less than the children of God we were created and called to be.

All of us are asked to share in Christ’s sacred work of restoration. In our shared ministry, through our daily vocations, and even as we seek to relax or fellowship, we remain the children of God. We are to practice and demonstrate a healthy self love and care, but that time should also help prepare us for the gospel work before us. There is a time to work and a time to rest, but each time of our life should seek to glorify God. Our choices should aim to build up ourselves and others; intending to better love God and love our neighbor as ourselves. Summer is a holy opportunity for rest and fun to be sure. It is a great time to celebrate the gift of our life and our relationships. I pray this summer helps restore us all, so that we might better attend to our call to help Jesus restore the world around us. Yes, Jesus still calls us, even in summer, for there is much work left to do and many blessings for us to share.

Peace,

Pastor Lou

The above pastoral letter was originally published in Messiah Lutheran Church and School’s newsletter, The Messenger (June 2011 edition). To view the entire issue of The Messenger or to see the full calendar of events, visit: http://www.mlcas.org

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations for this article are from the Today’s New International Version translation.

© 2011 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.

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May 8, 2011 · 1:52 am

Saved for a Reason

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.’  (Rev. 21:3-4)

 During the season of Easter, we intentionally remember the time of Christ’s resurrection as well as the birth of his church. It is a springtime within the history of salvation, one that continues today. The first fruits of new life appear, thanks to the Spirit dwelling within the hearts of all those that believe. The sacraments and our shared ministry in Christ’s name prove to be means of grace with the power to build us up while changing our world. Yes, a new day dawned with the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and yet, we all know that sin and death still do their dirty work. Fortunately, the resurrection is not the end of the story, only a new beginning.

As a gift to the world, God created us, Jesus called us, and the Spirit offers to nurture and guide us. Along with all of creation, we groan for the fullness of time where every tear will be wiped away (Romans 8). Yet even as we struggle with our own sin and imperfection, we are never left alone. Together, we are Christ’s body – living out God’s answer to the pain of this world. Jesus asks us in his name to wipe away tears and offer hope until there is no more death or mourning or crying or pain.

Our participation in the shared life of Christ’s church is never really about what we get out of it. We have been saved for a reason. We are meant to be living signs of a new life being offered to all. Through our service, fellowship and worship, God prepares for the day when all things will be made new. Through his living church, that final, perfect day is already dawning, and Jesus is calling us home to dwell with him forever. Come join us and see for yourself. Come and truly live.

Peace,

Pastor Lou

The above pastoral letter was originally published in Messiah Lutheran Church and School’s newsletter, The Messenger (May 2011 edition). To view the entire issue of The Messenger or to see the full calendar of events, visit: http://www.mlcas.org

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) translation.

© 2011 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.

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