As we look around the world today and consider the events that are taking place, we may ask the question, “What does the Lord require of us to do in today’s world?”

This is the question asked in The Book of Micah in the Old Testament.  In the sixth chapter, the eighth verse, the Prophet Micah is quoted saying that we are “… to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God.”  According to the prophet, the God of all creation is asking us to respond to the world around us and all those that are within it with justice, loving kindness and to walk humbly with our God. 

Turning to the New Testament, we read in Matthew about the lawyer who asked Jesus what the greatest commandment was.  Jesus answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.  And the second is like it.  You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.”  

On Sunday, June 4, we celebrated Pentecost, which we claim is the birth of the Christian Church.  We affirm that this is the time when the promise of Jesus to his followers was fulfilled.  The Spirit of God descended on them and from that day forth, they went out worshiping God and sharing with all people the love of God.

As followers of Christ today, this continues to be our mission.  It is made clear by the prophet Micah and affirmed by the words of Jesus that we are to work for justice for all people and that we are to reach out in loving kindness and to continue to walk humbly with our God.  When we do this we will witness to the fruit of the Spirit which Christ has given to us and the Apostle Paul claims is:  love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control.  As you go forth into your day, may life continue to be a witness the loving God revealed to us in Christ Jesus, our Lord.