Do We Follow the Teachings or Just Like the Title?
Rev. Erik Swanson
November 24, 2024
Reflecting on Christ the King Sunday invites us to ponder deeply: who is Jesus, and how does our connection to him shape our lives? This question challenges us to move beyond superficial labels and into a transformative relationship with God. By critiquing the historical and ongoing tendency to align Christianity with worldly power, we suggest that true faith is less about what we profess and more about how we behave—how our lives reflect the essence of Christ.
Christianity’s Purpose
Christianity’s purpose, at its best, is to nurture compassionate, loving, and spiritually connected human beings. The reading from the Gospel of John, chapter 7, verses 25-39 explores these themes, portraying a divided crowd questioning Jesus’ identity. Some dismiss him based on familiarity, while others are intrigued by his signs. Yet, Jesus redirects the focus, emphasizing that those who believe will experience streams of living water flowing from within them. This metaphor of living water symbolizes spiritual nourishment, strength, and connection. The question posed to us is whether we seek this living water and allow it to flow from our hearts to a world in need.
Further reflection critiques the behavior of those who claim the Christian identity while acting contrary to Christ’s teachings. It challenges us to examine what the church promotes as Christian behavior and values. Authentic Christianity, the message asserts, is demonstrated through action—through the love, kindness, and grace that flow from a heart connected to God.
Spiritual Sustainability
The turbulent times we face, filled with distractions and unrest, call for a doubling down on practices that sustain us spiritually: prayer, meditation, and intentional connection with God. Spiritual care, particularly in demanding times, is likened to drinking water when thirsty. Knowing about God or talking about the Spirit is not enough; we must actively engage with the divine to experience renewal and overflow.
God is not merely an object of admiration but a Source to engage with deeply. When we connect with this Source, living water flows through us—not from God directly, but from the connection established within us. This is a profound shift in understanding: we are not stagnant receivers of divine goodness but channels of it. The practice of nurturing this connection opens us to abundance, enabling us to share it with others.
Deepening Our Spiritual Connection
The reflection concludes with a call to action: We must strive to deepen our spiritual connection, to move beyond labels, and to seek the living water that not only sustains us but flows through us to nourish the world. In doing so, we embody the essence of Christ, bringing love, grace, and renewal to a spiritually thirsty world. This practice is not just for our benefit, but a profound way of living out our faith, letting streams of living water flow into all aspects of life. May we embrace this call, today and always.
Amen.
