Dilige, et quod vis fac

Thursday, March 12, 2009 -- Week of 2 Lent, Year One
Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome, 604

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 948)
Psalms [70], 71 (morning) 74 (evening)
Jeremiah 4:9-10, 19-28
Romans 2:12-24
John 5:19-29

Over and over the scripture warns those of us who are religious to beware of our presumption. Do not think that because we are overtly religious we have some privileged position over those who are not. What we have is enough knowledge to be accountable. If we have dared "talk the talk" we had better "walk the walk."

Jeremiah speaks of the disaster that befalls a nation that has turned its back on its principles. Though they believe that they are just, chosen and privileged, because they have betrayed their fundamental values, disaster strikes. Therefore, God uses what is ungodly to wreak desolation upon them.

Jeremiah sounds downright contemporary. Ours is a nation that believes itself to be a nation of liberty and justice for all, yet greed, violence and the lust for power has crippled and condemned us. Even as God brings judgment upon the nation, God groans, "My anguish, my anguish! I writhe in pain! Oh, the walls of my heart! ...For my people are foolish, they do not know me; they are stupid children, they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but do not know how to do good."

Paul admonishes those who believe themselves to be enlightened and blessed. Paul tells them that those foreigners who have not been given the divine gifts that we have received and who are nonetheless upright are as righteous in God's eyes as those who say they know God. And those of us who have been given knowledge and ethical teaching, if we then betray what we have been taught, "The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."

John speaks of the love between the Father and the Son and their shared work of judgment. Those who live in love live within this divine relationship. Those who do not honor this love come under judgment. Love, and do good. John's gospel extends the message even to the grave, where the voice of love will raise them and judge those who have died. Love, and do good.

St. Augustine famously said, "Love, and do what you like" -- Dilige, et quod vis fac -- also translated "Love, and what you will, do." Right action flows out of right relationship.

We who are Christians have met God who is love. We have been given the summary of the law: Love God, and love your neighbor as yourself; and we have been given the new commandment: love one another. We have seen the relationship of love between the Father and the Son and we have been grafted into that relationship.

If we will walk in love as Christ has loved us, and if we act out of that motivation and relationship, we will do good. Anyone who walks in love regardless of religion or philosophy will do good, and they will be in a right relationship with God.

But if we who have been given these truths from God insist on living lives of greed and pride and abuse, we violate God's very being. We will break God's heart, and we will bring suffering upon ourselves and our world.

It is all pretty simple. Love, and do what you like / Love, and what you will, do. Simple, not necessarily easy.

Lowell
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About Morning Reflections
Morning Reflections is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117

An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this location -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html


The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

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worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.