Discover the Life-Giving Way of Love

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry preaches on the Way of Love at the Executive Council meeting of the Episcopal Church.

A woman leaving church, shakes the priest’s hand at the door and ask, “How many services do I have to attend before I start seeing results?” This cartoon both amused me and, if I am honest, haunted me when I was a parish priest. I wanted the people who worshiped with us to experience the joy and freedom of a life transformed by the power of the Good News of Jesus. Yet, I knew that the ability for any given sermon or Eucharist to change someone’s life was something the Holy Spirit could do, but was beyond my ability to make happen.

I knew that in my own life some individual sermons really got my attention. Real change, however, came as I made more room for my faith in my daily life through taking up spiritual practices of intentional prayer, reading the Bible and more. That’s what led to real results for me.

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I am in Minnesota this week for a meeting of the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church, which serves as the Board of Directors for our denomination. In his sermon for our opening Eucharist Presiding Bishop Michael Curry called Council back to the Way of Love. This summer, Curry introduced the Way of Love, Seven Practices for a Jesus Centered Life. Rather than a new program, this is a renewed focus on practices that have been tested through the centuries by millions of Christians. 

“Everything we do must flow from a relationship with Jesus,” Bishop Curry reminded us. And then he pointed to how turning back to God, reading the Bible, praying daily, gathering to worship with others, passing on the blessings we have received, going out beyond our comfort zones, and having times of intentional rest are life giving. These are the practices of Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, and Rest that are the Way of Love. 

How you can engage with the Way of Love
Rather than one set program, this is a challenge that 10,000 Episcopalians can enter into in 15,000 life-giving ways. In fact, he told us that more than 10,000 different computers have already downloaded the materials. I write this to encourage you to go to http://episcopalchurch.org/wayoflove. Watch the short video introduction from the Presiding Bishop. Download the materials and find a Bible study or other discussion group at your church to discuss these with.

If you don’t set your own priorities, others will set your priorities for you. Nowhere is this truer than with your spiritual life. If you don’t set your own agenda, life will overtake you and leave no time for God. The Way of Love is a challenge to set your spiritual priorities. Begin by assessing truthfully where you are now. Then consider the one, or at the most two small changes you wish to make. You can always revisit the rule in six months. For now make small changes.  You will be better off to start too small. You don’t want to overwhelm yourself only to end up making no changes at all.
Don’t look for an individual sermon or Eucharist to change your life, just keep returning to the altar. I have no doubt that God can use the Way of Love to transform lives by the power of the Gospel of Jesus.

Frank
The Rev. Canon Frank Logue, Canon to the Ordinary

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