The Communal Life: Politics, Law, and Grace

My sermon this coming Sunday will address the communal life to which we are called.  How once we are freed from oppression (Exodus story) do we live together?  God gave us the Law through Moses.  How once we are freed from sin (Gospel story) do we live together?  By grace alone as the choir sang last Sunday.  Jesus, who proclaimed that grace of God through his dying on the cross for our sins, gave us just one command, to love one another (John 13:34).  I've had a frown on my forehead all week, because communal life involves politics, power, law, grace, forgiveness and love.  Communal life is complicated.  It's not pure. It's is hard?  But it is our calling. 

Two weeks ago I preached on justice and how it's time to get our hands dirty, to get into the weeds of public policy.  Then this week the Alabama legislature and governor signed a law prohibiting abortion with no exceptions, challenging the U.S. Supreme Court's 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision. 

Oh, the A word.  Abortion is the hot button issue of my generation.  Women's rights, fetus rights!  The battle lines are drawn.  It has been the underlying issue of our communal life.  One needs the wisdom of Solomon.  The Presbyterian Church U.S.A. through the General Assembly has also deliberated and formed policy on the matter.  The Rev. J. Herbert Nelson, our Stated Clerk, addressed the church this week reminds us of the church's discernment and policy as a guide for us on this most difficult matter: https://www.pcusa.org/news/2019/5/20/abortion-debate-grows-stated-clerk-reminds-church-/

I will not be addressing abortion from the pulpit on Sunday, but I will speak about the purpose of the Law, Grace, and the Communal Life to which God calls us.  This on Memorial Day Weekend when we remember and honor those who have lost their lives in battle fighting our wars to secure by force our nation's position.  Harry Emerson Fosdick wrote these famed lyrics in 1930 halfway between two world wars and in the midst of the Great Depression: 

God of grace and God of glory 
on Thy people pour Thy power;
Crown Thine ancient church's story;
Bring its bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage 
For the face of this hour.  For the facing of this hour.  

 Set our feet on lofty places; 
Gird our lives that they may be
Armored with all Christlike graces, 
Pledged to set all captives free.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage 
For the face of this hour.  For the facing of this hour.  

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