Would you like to dance? The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:13 Grace. Love. Fellowship. Three words that describe our relationship with the God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Paul uses these words in his closing benediction to the church in Corinth. They are an invitation to join in the divine dance that exists within the Godhead. We are reminded that out of love God created us in his own image. With that same love he calls us to live in relationship with him. And when we rebelled and turned against Him and one another, God in love sought to reconcile us to himself. We are reminded that it was (and is) by grace that Jesus has given us a new relationship with God. Nothing that we have done or earned…just grace. And in this grace the promise that nothing will ever separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus! (Romans 8:38-39) We are reminded that in this love and grace we are invited into fellowship (a deeply intimate relationship) with God by through the power of the Holy Spirit. God has invited us to the dance! This holy fellowship with God is not for us alone but is to extend as well to our brothers and sisters in the church. So…May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Let's dance! Blessings, Matthew+ Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP p. 228) |