Ember in Life

5.25.2025

[Texts]

Acts 16:9-15 Lydia and her household are baptized by Paul

Psalm 67 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy. (Ps. 67:4)

Revelation 21:10, 22—22:5 The Lamb is the light of the city of God

John 14:23-29 The Father will send the Holy Spirit

Easter Blessings

How have we been doing since we left the church with Jesus’ new commandment last Sunday? We know it is new because love is no longer measured by how we love ourselves but by how Jesus loves us. This love is not negotiable. It is a commandment, not a suggestion.

Living out JESUS' LOVE makes ONENESS in divinity and humanity possible. That's our call. It sounds great, but here is the challenge: how do we live out this love in such a messy world with broken people like you and me? The disciples were human, just like us. Their world was no less chaotic than ours.

Jesus must have sensed their uncertainty after giving them this new commandment in John 13. Today, in John 14, he reassures them:

"Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid. The Holy Spirit will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you. And I leave you my peace, peace the world does not give."

For the past three weeks, we have reflected on Jesus' teachings from chapters 10 to 14. The importance of oneness, from Jesus' love to His peace, reminds me of the film The Two Popes and the inaugural homily delivered by Pope Leo XIV last Sunday (May 18, 2025).

Pope Leo XIV renounced papal supremacy and called for Christian unity. He declared that Christ, not Peter, is the true "rock" of the Church, emphasizing that the papal office is a role of service rather than authority. His message echoed early Church teachings and urged full communion among Christian denominations. It is a historic shift that impacts all of us who profess to be followers of Jesus, moving forward toward the oneness of humanity in Christ.

This shift reminds me of a powerful conversation in the film, The Two Popes. The film portrays Pope Francis as accessible and humble, while Pope Benedict XVI represents tradition. Several conversations in the film capture something profound, and this is one of them.

Pope Francis: "St. Peter was married. Priestly celibacy was not required until the 12th century. We did not even mention angels before the 5th century. Suddenly, angels are everywhere, like pigeons. Nothing is static in nature or the universe, not even God."

Pope Benedict XVI (defends): "God does not change."

Pope Francis (insists): "Yes, He does. He moves toward us."

Pope Benedict XVI (questions): "I am the way, the truth, and the life. Where do I find Him moving?"

Pope Francis (responds): "On the journey!"

On our journey, are we following God, or is God following us? What causes one to remain static? The film portrays a pivotal moment when Pope Benedict XVI confesses his struggles: how he can no longer hear God’s voice as he once did. Pope Francis expresses his regret over choices made during Argentina’s dictatorship. After each confession, they offer each other absolution in the name of the Triune God. Their disagreements do not change the fact: they truly love one another as Jesus has loved them.

Like them, we wrestle with faith. Some struggle to hear God’s voice. Others cannot embrace God's grace. The Holy Spirit nudges us and teaches us as we move toward God by grace through faith, while God moves toward us out of love.

What image comes to your mind when you think of the Holy Spirit? Scripture offers some. Matthew 3:16 depicts the Spirit as a dove at Jesus’ baptism. Acts 2 describes the Spirit as wind and flame.

That makes me think of Pope Francis' words in the film, spoken with deep sorrow: "Our churches are beautiful but empty. Like fire covered in ash. We need someone to blow the ash away."

What image comes to your mind when you think of the Holy Spirit? For me, the Spirit is like an ember in life. It can be small but powerful. Ember holds heat and potential. It preserves our first memories of knowing God. And we grow in faith continually when we gather for worship, hear the Gospel proclaimed, and are broken yet united again and again through Holy Communion weekly. Ember keeps light alive in struggle and hardship. It is how the Holy Spirit works in us, igniting faith, love, and transformation.

When ember is fanned into flame, the Spirit moves just as Lydia’s heart was stirred; the Spirit brought her household and many others to faith in Philippi. From one home to a city, from one city to all nations, as Jesus envisioned.

With the power of the Holy Spirit, like fire and wind, we are sent to blow the lifeless ash away wherever we see embers dimming yet glowing. That's our call. When the moment comes, may we be ready to witness the magnificent beauty of life being reignited, renewed, and transformed, one after another.

Amen.