Talk, Talk, Talk...

Readings: Deuteronomy 6:4-13, I John 4:16-21, Luke 16:19-31

Talking, talking talking...silence is no longer golden...it's rare beyond belief. Everywhere we go we are tethered to the next spontaneous conversation via cell phone, text message, in-vehicle communication system. We are surrounded by televisions, radios, Internet, electronic signs, etc. And, it seems, everyone is talking...

Is anyone listening? Is there anything worth listening to?

Talking, in and of itself, isn't a bad thing. In fact, it was heavily encouraged in the book of Deuteronomy. God's message of love through the commandment "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength" is then stressed that we put it into practice by "impress(ing) then upon your children. Talk (about this commandment of love) when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up" (6:5-7). 

Now we have something worth listening to and worth talking about to others. Our idle chatter can become more focused, more useful, and more worthy of our minds' powerful and blessed mechanisms. We can process this higher plane of all-encompassing love; we can also share this commandment with others, not only through our talking, but through our deeds as well.

"Write (this commandment) on the doorframes of your houses and your gates" (6:9).

We can, in essence, surround all our waking moments with the ever-abundant love of God and our loyalty to Him. 

And what does all this talk of love give us?

I John tells us, "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him" (4:16-17). We are given permission not to wake up with fear and dread each morning, but, instead, to wake up with a clear mind that is full of confidence from living in and loving our God. "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love" (4:18).

We can wake up each day with a smile, carry that smile throughout the day, and find peaceful sleep at the end of the day because "We love because he first loved us" (4:19). We are loved.

We can look at those who don't have our best interests in mind and smile; they are slaves, unfortunately, to earthly belongings, greeds, and needs. We are, when fully wrapped in God's love, in a different realm. We can, indeed, "love our brother"...no matter what. We can share that love through our talk and through our deeds. It's not up to us to control the outcome; it's our pleasure to share through our vast love of God.

The final reading is the story of Lazarus and the rich man. As you may recall, Lazarus was a beggar just outside the gates of the wealthy man's house, to whom the wealthy man paid no attention. When they both died, Lazarus was seen by the wealthy man through a wall of flames. The wealthy man asked God for Lazarus to go back to earth and warn his brothers of their fate if they continued to ignore their brothers and sisters in need. God replied that this would do no good if there was someone within such close proximity as Lazarus was to the wealthy man and they still could not see the need. 

Time for us to talk the talk in earnest...how will you serve today?

Peace be with you.