Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. - Ephesians 5:2
Take a moment and think about these questions. “Who among those you know are icons of the sacrificial love of Christ.” “What is it that they do or did that demonstrated in their way of life, loving others as Christ loved others.”
When I reflect upon Ephesians 5:2 and these questions, many teachers, other adults who work with youth, people I have met in church, and my parents are among the people who immediately come to my mind. While it is no excuse for not paying them adequately, teachers are often people who go into their profession because they have a love for learning that they want to share with younger minds. They are, then, people who generally have chosen a career path that will never earn them much in salary but one that can and does make a profound and lasting impact on many young lives. I remember Mr. Charles Stanton, one of my high school teachers as such an icon of Christ’s sacrificial love. Apparently many others felt the same because the announcement of his passing received a huge outpouring of testimonials to his impact on a generation of students. Mr. Stanton was not an athlete, nor was he hip or elegant. But he abounded in compassion and a desire to engage students, all students, in relationship. His care was genuine. He also played a mean game of Nerf Hoops. “Tenacity of purpose” is a phrase I recall first hearing from him. It is still with me. As did Christ, Mr. Stanton had tenacity of purpose, to walk in love always.
When I think about those icons, I remember former scout masters, those men who gave generously of their time to take a bunch of 11 year olds on monthly camping trips. They were all military men. First Major Hooper, the man who taught me how to build rope bridges and repel from heights; then Chaplain Jerry Lamb, the man who gave me the life changing opportunity to serve at the altar; and lastly Steve Desiderio, who from the perspective of a then 13 year old seemed all grown up but was probably not more than 21. Imitating God who is our shepherd, these men gave of themselves for the sake of a bunch of boys not their own, loving us as Christ loved them.
Walking in love is like that. It is committing oneself to being a self-sacrificing servant of others, returning God’s love for ourselves in our loving others. I see much of that here at Good Shepherd where all members are called to be ministers of the Gospel, sharing the love of Christ with those among us and those beyond our walls.
So, who among us and those you know are icons of the sacrificial love of Christ? What is that they do? And how have you been inspired to be an icon too?
Grace and peace,
Fr. Bill+