Pastor Cliff's Notes

Brother Lawrence (1605-1691) served as a cook and shoe repairer at a Carmelite monastery in France. Brother Lawrence was not a scholar or a leader in matters of worship, but he was a man of prayer. Brother Lawrence describes his constant practice of speaking with and reflection upon God amidst the mundane tasks of life. He tried to practice reflecting upon God each and every moment of each and every day. His letters on his prayer life were published in a short book, “The Practice of the Presence of God.” This book has become a classic work on cultivating an awareness of the presence of God in everyday life.

How can we remain aware of God in the midst of our busy and modern lives? I must admit it is not an easy task. The best way I have found is to think of God as already with me. If God is present already, the next step is for my “presence” to be aware of God’s “Presence.” This is the first step of a deeper spiritual growth. Practice the presence of God. Practice being aware of God each day.

Richard Rohr writes the next step is to go from just being aware of the Presence, to knowing and enjoying God's Presence. Rohr writes, “The contemplative is not just aware of the Presence, but trusts, allows and delights in it.” This awareness is in itself a prayer. A form of communication or even communion with God, perhaps made possible by our living in a renewed state of awareness of the Presence of God.
​
Brother Lawrence was able to chop vegetables, prepare meals for hungry monks, wash pots, and stay aware of the presence of God. He did not need to be in a church sanctuary or in a mountain meadow to know that God’s Presence was with him. 
The psychologist Carl Jung inscribed over the front door to his home, "Bidden or not bidden, God is present." We start by recognizing God's presence, inviting God into our hearts and our homes. I invite you to say to God; "Lord, I welcome you into my daily life today.” Our day may be filled with the Presence of the one who is always present.

My prayer is a simple one, “Lord, help me to be present, fully present with you today” as I practice your presence in my life.
​
Your brother in Christ,
Pastor Cliff
 

Some Lawyers were out to trap Jesus, so they asked him a theological question:

Teacher, what commandment in the law is the greatest? Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”​​​​  Matthew 22:36-39

Jesus’ answer is from the heart of Jewish thought and teaching. Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6:4, the “Shema” which means “hear;" "Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.” This is the verse that people of the Jewish faith are taught, learn to recite daily and to teach to future generations. So Jesus gives the right theological answer to his questioners. But Jesus does not stop here. Jesus continues on by adding a second command; you shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Jesus builds a spiritual foundation on three great loves, 1) Love God with all that you are, 2) love those around you, and 3) love yourself.

I personally believe that the third love is the hardest. I can love God, for I am a child of God and part of God’s handiwork. I can love my fellow human beings in all of their diversity, for I share this world and this gift of life with them. But loving myself is tricky and not always easy to do. I don’t see myself as great at anything. I am not a professional athlete, an intellectual genius, a computer designer or even 
the greatest friend, husband or father. I always see my need for improvement. I always see my faults. So it is hard to love myself. 

However, it is important for us to learn to love ourselves, for it appears that Jesus’ three loves are all inter-related and even inter-dependent. As I love God and receive God’s love, I am then filled to love my neighbor and in turn, love myself. Because God loves me, I love God, and then share that love with my neighbor and myself. I do well to remember that I am God’s handiwork. God made me to love and know him, I love the one who made me, and the circle of love continues as I share that love with others and myself.

I may still be a work in progress. I may still be an unfinished work of art, but I am worthy of love and self-respect. God made me, God loves me and God has given me the ministry of love and reconciliation. 

It is my prayer that the three loves of Jesus will be part of the fabric of our faith here at St. Luke. Let us continue to love God, love our neighbor and love our imperfect selves. 

Your brother in Christ,

Pastor Cliff