“Can we dream of a world where all creatures, human and not, can meet each other in a stance that is not tinged with fear?”

From the homily preached by the Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop-elect of the Episcopal Church USA, at the Closing Eucharist June 21st at General Convention in Columbus, Ohio:

“Can we dream of a world where all creatures, human and not, can meet each other in a stance that is not tinged with fear?”

“When Jesus says that his kingdom is not of this world, he is saying that his rule is not based on the ability to generate fear in his subjects. A willingness to go to the cross implies a vulnerability so radical, so fundamental, that fear has no impact or import. The love he invites us to imitate removes any possibility of reactive or violent response. King Jesus’ followers don’t fight back when the world threatens. Jesus calls us friends, not agents of fear.”

“. . . [The book of] Colossians calls Jesus the firstborn of all creation, the firstborn from the dead. That sweaty, bloody, tear-stained labor of the cross bears new life. Our mother Jesus gives birth to a new creation – and you and I are His children. If we’re going to keep on growing into Christ-images for the world around us, we’re going to have to give up fear.”

“. . . Our invitation, both in the last work of this Convention, and as we go out into the world, is to lay down our fear and love the world. Lay down our sword and shield, and seek out the image of God’s beloved in the people we find it hardest to love. Lay down our narrow self-interest, and heal the hurting and fill the hungry and set the prisoners free. Lay down our need for power and control, and bow to the image of God’s beloved in the weakest, the poorest, and the most excluded.”