Today’s Message was written by friend Chaplain Bob Griffiths.

Way back on May 18, we marked Jesus’ ascension into heaven. This is celebrated 40 days after his resurrection from the dead, But we are still charged to live out his final commandment to us: “I give you a new commandment: to love one another, just as I loved you so that you would also love one another, That is how all will know you are my students: if you have love amongst yourselves.” (Andy Gaus translation) And how will people know that? Because they will be living it – displaying that love. As St. Francis famously said, “Preach the Gospel at all times; use words if necessary.” Actions indeed speak louder than words!

In these days of instant everything, from oatmeal to telephone calls to social media postings, everything MUST be accomplished as quickly as possible. Let’s remember that it’s far more challenging to live out Jesus’ final commandment and demonstrate love than to have a knee-jerk reaction/response to whatever happens to me. Shoot at cars and people who pull into my driveway in error? Interrupt a school board meeting by shouting back in response to a comment I disagree with? The list grows daily.

I have a neighbor who is at the opposite end of the political belief spectrum from me. And they, and I, treat each other with respect and kindness. And why not? They are kind and caring people! I have never heard them say an unkind word about anybody. It’s always a pleasure to see them and to express ourselves with friendliness, love, and concern.

So how am I doing today with living out Jesus’ final commandment to us, his students, and followers? Or to Buddha’s clearly expressed comments about how to live our lives? Or any other major ethical/faith-based teachings? Because nothing is just about me – it’s about us, and how I treat another child of God.

Let us pray: God of Grace, we recall your love for us, and your forgiveness and grace.

And we remember that you have called us to a better path. Draw near to us, as we hand over to you any resentment, anger, or hatred we may be feeling. Empower us to let go. And as we do, may your healing Spirit move deep within us. To help those in need of a friendly word and perhaps a hug, Grant this, we pray, so that we may pay forward Christ’s never-ending love for us. Amen.

There are two young fish swimming along. An older fish, swimming in the other direction, nods at them and says, “Morning, boys. How’s the water?” The two young fish swim on, and then eventually one of them looks over at the other and asks, “What the hell is water?”

Sometimes it’s hard to see what’s already right in front of us.

I remember when I graduated from high school and went away to college. By way of full confession, was not the most responsible or respectful adolescent. (Sorry Mom!) When I was that age, I couldn’t wait to get out of the house. But then, after moving out into the dorms, it really was only a matter of weeks before reality set in, and I realized how good I had had it. 

At home, I realized, I didn’t have to go to the laundry mat every week – or alternatively, search for my cleanest dirty shirt to wear to class. At home, I didn’t have a roommate who never slept and who was a total party animal. At home, I didn’t have to share a bathroom with five other guys, none of whom, including myself liked to clean very much. At home, I didn’t have to go to the grocery. No. Somehow at home, all of the ingredients and all of the food I loved, magically appeared every week… 

Just a little bit of space and a little bit of perspective allowed me to see what I couldn’t see, to appreciate what I couldn’t appreciate.  

For all of us, at every age, sometimes it is hard to see the reality of blessing and beauty and grace, even when we are swimming in it.  

Today I invite you to pause, and in spite of any difficulties you may be facing, take stock of all the blessings surrounding you. Make a list. Focus for a few seconds on each item, and notice how a little perspective can make a huge difference.

Let us pray: Loving God, you have blessed us beyond measure. Open our eyes to see and hearts to respond. Amen.

Many years ago now, I heard a pastor reflecting on Jesus’ love for people. He said, “You know how Ray Charles had Georgia on his mind? Always singing about Georgia. Couldn’t get it off his heart. Well, just like Ray Charles had Georgia on his mind, Jesus had people on his mind, people on his heart.”

It’s true. His whole life, his whole ministry was given to loving people – to serving them, healing, teaching, eating with them, offering hope and forgiveness and peace, and ultimately even dying for them. It’s beautiful. Even the grave couldn’t stop his love for people. It continues today. And it extends even now – to you and me. 

Let us pray: Loving God, thank you for loving us unconditionally. Give us today, hearts to love you, minds to know you, and wills to follow you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today’s message was written by my friend Roger Kunkel.

There is a true story about a San Francisco hotel that had only one elevator. Soon that elevator couldn’t handle the traffic. When the management began planning for the installation of a new elevator, they realized this would require cutting holes in every floor and making a real mess. “You’ll have to close the hotel for a while,” said the janitor, who had overheard their planning. “Well, we’ll just have to close it then,” replied the engineer. “We can’t survive without another elevator.” The janitor thought for a moment and said, “Do you know what I would do?” “What?” the architect responded rather arrogantly. The janitor replied, “I’d put the elevator on the outside.” The engineer and architect looked at each other and smiled. For the first time in the history of architecture, an elevator was put on the outside of a building. Now, many modern buildings have elevators on the outside.

The greatest need in most complex problems is the need for vision – the ability to see things from a new perspective. Friend of Dial Hope, if you are facing an absolutely unsolvable problem, is there some way to put your elevator on the outside?

Let us pray: Loving God, many people hearing this message or reading this message are finding it difficult to survive the problems they face. Help all of us to experience the grace of your unconditional love and the support of one another. Forgive us for marching to the beat of drummers other than you. Give us vision to put our elevators on the outside. Overwhelmed by our blessings, enable us to make this day a masterpiece… filled with joy, hope, and possibilities that give us goosebumps. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Yesterday, I shared with you all that in John’s Gospel, Jesus says, “I am the Gate…” When Jesus made this statement, he was talking to the Pharisees, the religious leaders of the day. He had just healed a man who was born blind, and the Pharisees were angry about this. They were angry because he healed on the Sabbath, and by doing so, he broke one of the ten commandments. 

On top of that, in those days it was widely believed that blindness – or any kind of illness really – was a punishment from God. Jesus disabuses them of this notion. So, the Pharisees question the man who was healed. They question his parents. They question Jesus. 

These religious leaders clearly cared more about being right than they did about being loving. And you get the sense that Jesus was pretty angry about it. He called them thieves and bandits. He was angry at their hard hearts. They were so legalistic about the Bible that they were keeping people out, turning people away from the mystery beyond.

When Jesus talks about the gate, he was saying, the Pharisee’s teaching is not the way. Their legalism is not the way. They are not the way to deeper mystery and truth. I am the way… I am the opening.

To me, this statement is really good news. If Jesus is the gate to lead us to a clearer understanding of who God is, then we can be sure that God cares about those who suffer, those who feel left out or lost or cast away. We can be sure that God is merciful, loving, and full of grace. And we can be sure that each and every life is valuable. 

To me, that is a Gate worthy to enter. 

Let us pray: We thank you, Loving God for coming to us in Jesus, to live as we live, to suffer as we suffer, to fully know human life. We thank you for the way in which his life and teachings, death and resurrection point to you. Grant us open hearts and willing spirits that we might ever approach you through this gate. Amen.