Bishop Michael Curry, of the Episcopal Church, presided over the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, an American actress. His message spoke of the dynamic transforming power of love and was shared with an audience of more than one billion people.
Bishop Curry shared about slaves in American antebellum South and how they understood the transforming power of love. As they sang, “There’s a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole. There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul.” In the midst of captivity, they lifted their voices and sang. Bishop Curry explains why:
“They sang, ‘If you cannot preach like Peter, and you cannot pray like Paul, you must tell the love of Jesus, how he died to save us all.’ That’s the balm in Gilead. This way of love, it is the way of life. They got it. He died to save us all. He didn’t die for anything he could get out of it. Jesus did not get an honorary doctorate for dying. He gave up his life, he sacrificed his life, for the good of others, for the good of the other, for the well-being of the world, for us.”
I am weary of hearing how terrible things are. I am eager for healing, for the balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole. Our nation and world are broken, ill, and torn. A revolution of transforming love can bring wholeness and unity to the world. It all begins with going to the source of healing, our God who made heaven and earth, and following Jesus’ example of sacrificial love.
This weekend’s scripture, Matthew 15:21-28, reveals how the presence of Christ’s love for all people breaks down walls that separate andsets us free.
I look forward to connecting with you in worship this Sunday. Please read the update that is posted in News and Happenings and on our website regarding possible criteria for resuming in-person worship in the future.
Peace,
Pastor Cathy