Pastor's Corner

Love Is

When we humble ourselves we create a vacuum, which God can step into and fill, rather than trying to manage and control things on our own. Jesus said, "He who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 14:11).

Waiting for God is the hard part.

We need faith to believe that God will take care of us when others don't. My mother?s favorite saying is that, ?the animal that has no tail it is God who wipes off flies on its back.? Meaning, God is helper to the helpless. That's why we can't love without faith. All Jesus' command assumes that we will trust God "Give and it will be given to you" (Luke 6:38) requires us to stop trusting in our own resources and wait for God to provide once we've emptied our pockets.

We can't fake humility. It's so foreign to us that it takes the very energy of grace. When we take the low place, we see clearly. Pride doesn't even notice humility, because humility is so quiet. But down low, we see not only other people better, but also ourselves - and God - better. That's why the outcasts of society - children, women, foreigners, the poor and disabled - are attracted to Jesus. They see him clearly. They know they have nothing to put on the table; they are empty. Drawn by his grace and beauty, they cling to his love.

Jesus is drawn to people who are in the low place. He loves those at the bottom. Why? Because that's where he is. He said, "Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:29-30). His first bed was a feeding trough. He ate with prostitutes, sinners, and tax collectors. He talked with Samaritans. He touched lepers. Jesus' heart was humble.

We can feel safe in the low place because God lives there. For the first time in a decade our beloved parish St. Ansgar is in a mode of revision of our ministry ?mission for others.? Church Council and the congregation have embarked on a new path of being relevant in our community. Please keep us in your prayers as we try new ways of doing ministry.

I believe that God is there ahead of us, inviting us to come live with him, to taste his goodness. The closest thing to the feel of God is to humble ourselves, to be concerned not with position, but with people.

Mother Teresa said, "The surest way to be one with God is to accept humiliation." When Jesus invited people to love, he invites them to the low place. This is high calling to all of us, to love even in little things.

Best wishes from your friend and pastor,
Pastor Samuel King-Kabu

Web Page prepared by:
Roger Kenner & Jette Blair.
Content-New Topics Last Updated: 2014/02/28
St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church - Montreal