Sermon - 5/9/21

<p>As we move into a time when more people are getting vaccinated and we can again begin to gather in-person, one of the things I am truly looking forward to is baptizing the children who have been born in our midst during this pandemic.  Walter and Brenda Kopf’s grandson, Garrett, will be baptized in two weeks, and Mark and Molly DeHate’s son, Luca, will soon be baptized.  As many of you know, I find baptisms to be one of the most meaningful things I do as I live into this call to ministry because in baptism we are shown how deeply and <strong>unconditionally</strong> we are <strong>loved</strong> by God, something that is communicated in all our scripture readings on this day.</p> <p>In today’s reading from Acts, Peter is astonished to discover the Holy Spirit falls <strong>even</strong> on those who are <strong>Gentiles,</strong> those considered “other.” He then understands Gentiles <strong>cannot</strong> be denied the cleansing waters of baptism, new life, and God’s <strong>unconditional love</strong>.  And, in our second reading, the writer of 1 John tells us the unconditional love that comes from our Creator Parent, expressed through the person of Jesus and through the Spirit, is born in us as we <strong>obey</strong> God’s commandment to <strong>love</strong>.  Then, in today’s reading from John’s gospel, we find a continuation of the words we heard Jesus speaking last Sunday, and he again speaks about <strong>abiding</strong> <strong>in</strong> the <strong>love</strong> that is splashed all over us, love that will make our joy complete. </p> <p>This whole section of John’s gospel is known as Jesus’ Farewell Discourse because he is preparing the disciples for his death.  He knows he is going to die, and he knows he will be leaving them.  In John’s gospel, these words are some of the last words Jesus speaks during his earthly life, and his <strong>last</strong> words are all about <strong>love. </strong> Jesus speaks of his <strong>love</strong> for the disciples as he calls them <strong>friends</strong>