Was anybody else thinking that the craziness of 2020 would end with 2020? I know I was thinking/hoping/praying that 2021 would be better than the constant insanity of 2020. I was hoping that COVID-19 would be lessening, not increasing! I was hoping that the riots that plagued Seattle, Portland, Minneapolis, New York, and Washington, D.C., would be ending — not growing into an even bigger one on Jan. 6. Though the dates have changed, it seems that 2020 is still with us.


Are you, like many, asking (again) what God is up to? Are you wondering what this is all about and what’s next? There were points during 2020 where I just did not want to watch the news. I didn’t want to know what craziness was happening where, why, and for how long. I didn’t. Though that’s a natural response — and maybe at times healthy — it’s not always helpful. Some feed off the 24-hour news cycle on health, safety, justice, environmental, political, economic and military updates. Some find time in the wilderness a greater elixir for body and soul.


What are we to do? Go forth and argue, argue, argue as the good book doesn’t say. Hide in the woods, a popular pastime here in Alaska. If you’re like me, you hide until the vast swarms of mosquitoes chase you out. (By the way, I haven’t missed mosquitoes one little bit all winter!)


There are things that we can do. Things that give perspective and things that help and make a difference. For one thing we can recognize Jan. 6 for what it is. For centuries the church calendar has marked the sixth of January as Epiphany: the day Wise Men from the East followed yonder star to visit the baby Jesus. To be clear, these wise men were not Christians. In fact, Jesus, Joseph and Mary were not Christians. Neither were the early disciples. All were Jews. Remember Joseph and Mary brought baby Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem in accordance with their faith tradition. The Wise Men arrive later asking, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (Matthew 2:1-2).


What does this mean for us today in Interior Alaska? It means that Jesus was not just for the Jewish people, but for everyone — even people from thousands of miles away (like us). Jesus is for all.


How can we make a difference? Is it through riots, conflicts, arguments or through retreat into the wilderness? I am here to say that there’s a third option and it’s one that actually helps.


Some folks in our nation (and our beautiful part of it) are suffering. Some are lonely and depressed. Some (adults and children) are hungry and hopeless. Together we can all make a positive difference. We can help the Fairbanks Food Bank, The Door 24-hour youth shelter; we can donate to the Salvation Army and Love INC. We can call and ask how we can help. We can also call our friends and neighbors and check in with people. You won’t catch COVID-19 from phone calls, text messages and emails.


Shortly following the election in November, I wrote an article aptly titled by the editors, “We are not enemies, but friends,” from the opening words of President Lincoln’s first inaugural address given March 4, 1861. The words remain true: We are not enemies, but friends! Even with our differences, let us make a difference with the people around us and live together as friends in 2021 and beyond.

The Rev. Stephen K. Reed, Pastor, St. Paul Church on Farmers Loop next to Mushers Hall, chaplain, police & fire.

This Insight Article is sponsored by Tanana Valley Christian Conference
​​Printed in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner's Faith Section on ​January 15, 2021

As Christmas rapidly approaches, I am drawn to the conversation between Mary and the Archangel Gabriel. The story of Christmas originates long, long ago (and far, far away) from shepherds, wise men, and  “no vacancy” signs.

Christmas begins in prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures of the coming of a messiah. Christmas also begins with a conversation described in the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke. This conversation is between Mary, a young Jewish virgin girl, and Gabriel, an archangel sent from God.

The Archangel Gabriel begins the conversation powerfully:

“Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”

How did Mary react? How would you react if an angel (or archangel) suddenly appeared before you? How would you react if anyone suddenly appeared beside you (there is no mention of Gabriel knocking on the door)? Would you scream? Would you shoot? Would you run out the back? 

What did Mary do? Did she drop whatever she was holding?

“But she (Mary) was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.” This could be an understatement of epic proportions.

“Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”

Why do you suppose angels are always telling folks not to be afraid? Could it be that angels, and especially archangels, scare the living wits out of people? That’s my theory. They keep saying don’t be afraid because they are always scaring people!

“Mary.”

Gabriel knows her name. God knows Mary by her name. God knows you by your name. 

“You have found favor with God.”
 
Now Mary is really afraid; she’s wondering what is going on and what is going to happen next.

“You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the son of the most high, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.”

{What? I will do what? Son? What?} (My translation)

“How can this be since I am a virgin?” 

{You have the wrong girl. It’s not me and it can’t be me. I’m a virgin. Go scare someone else!} 

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the most high will overshadow you; therefore, the child to be born will be holy; he will be called son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.”

{Elizabeth is pregnant?! I am going to be pregnant! With God! What?!}

The most powerful part comes between Gabriel’s explanation in verses 35-37 of Luke chapter 1 (see above) and Mary’s response in verse 38. It has to do with who is talking and who is listening. The Archangel Gabriel, a messenger of God, is talking with Mary, a young girl and favored by God.

I imagine silence. Quiet. Waiting. 

Gabriel waits to hear Mary’s response. God waits to hear Mary’s response. All creation from before then to beyond now waits to hear what this teenage girl will say.

Waiting.

Wondering.

Waiting.

Mary is engaged to Joseph. Mary has every reason to say “No! You got the wrong girl!”

Waiting.

After what must have seemed an eternity, at least for Gabriel if not God, Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”

Mary said, “Yes!”

And thus, the unwed teenage girl begins her journey to become what the Greek Orthodox Church refers to as Theotokos (Greek for “mother of god” or, literally, “god-bearer”). God’s plan for salvation will go forth. 

But now the obvious, and difficult, question: What if Mary had instead shouted, “No!” Or even, “Hell No! You’re crazy! You got the wrong girl! Get out and stay out! Now, before I call the police!”

What if Mary said no?

During this Christmas season, take time to pray and listen and wonder what God is calling you to do. Wonder how many are waiting for your response. What if you, like Mary, say “Yes” to God?

​This Insight Article is sponsored by Tanana Valley Christian Conference
​​Printed in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner's Faith Section on December 18,  2020.

“We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.” 
 
The words above were as timely when they were first given as they are today. They are from President Abraham Lincoln's first inaugural address given March 4, 1861, just over a month before the American Civil War.  Our prayers are likewise needed now as they were then.
 
Many say that our nation is as divided and polarized today as it was in the civil war.  As I write this article, legal challenges are occurring around elections in several states across our great land similar to the election in 2000 . At the same time there are calls for unity and transition.
 
How do we respond to this experience of polarization and division? How do we respond as Christians? 

We might begin by acknowledging that we have differences. We do not agree on everything. Sometimes it may seem that we do not agree on anything. It is easy to enter discussions that sometimes become heated and some label as arguments on many, many topics. Yes, that is true.

It is very, very easy to disagree on very nearly anything.
 
So with the reality of polarization and division on many topics, what are we to do?

Perhaps we begin by not trying to solve discussion of polarizing topics like abortion and gun control. Let us instead focus on safe topics like the PFD, a state income tax, school curriculums, and a balanced state budget. Okay, maybe that will not work either.
 
What can we talk about that is not somehow, “political?”
 
It turns out there are many things. We can talk to one another. We can check in with each other.

Through it all we can listen to learn instead of listening to respond. The goal of conversation is communication. Try listening to hear what the speaker is saying and imagining for a moment why a person is saying what they are saying. Ask questions to clarify what is being said and ponder the meaning. Listen to hear and thereby learn.
 
No, we are not going to solve big differences in a few brief conversations. People have been arguing about abortion and gun control for decades. Similarly, people have been arguing about state (and local) budgets, taxes, and school curriculums for years. Instead we just might get to know one another by listening and learning.
 
I write today suggesting that we spend time in prayer for our nation and listening, really listening to one another.
 
"Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.  Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires."  -James 1:19-20
 
The Rev. Stephen K. Reed, Pastor, St. Paul Church on Farmers Loop next to Mushers Hall, chaplain, police & fire.

This Insight Article is sponsored by Tanana Valley Christian Conference
​​Printed in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner's Faith Section on November 13,  2020.

I awoke Saturday morning to a phone call informing me that a very close and longtime friend had died suddenly just hours before. My friend’s daughter was calling to let me know. We (Laura and I) have been heartbroken ever since.

I learned that on Friday afternoon my friend had been working on a sermon when suddenly her chest hurt like never before. Her husband rushed her to the hospital. They ran tests and determined that she was suffering from a dissecting aortic aneurysm for which little could be done. She called family and shared her love for them and the situation. She was given pain medication and died in the midst of hymns, prayers and friends a short time later.

She and I were in ministry in a small Episcopal Church in Colorado. We attended Diocesan parish leadership classes and were in Clinical Pastoral Education for a few years together. Her daughter (who called) had babysat our kids. She was happily married, an active member of a Celtic Franciscan order, and pastoring a church in East Texas. Things were going well for her and we were so happy for her. And then she dies suddenly having recently turned 54. She suddenly experiences excruciating pain while writing a sermon to preach on Sunday. Her funeral was Tuesday at 1 p.m. in East Texas. She died doing the Lord’s work and in excruciating pain.

Don’t wait to tell people of your admiration. Life is hard and everyone fights battles seen and unseen. Everyone struggles to some extent. I told her several times of my profound respect and admiration of her. I am so glad I told her. You never know when your last conversation with a person will be the last conversation. And don’t waste time arguing on social media about anything. I’ve done that and it just drains your life, time, and energy. Spend that time with people.

In all this I am really struggling. In a job I used to have I worked daily with people who were dying, sometimes actively dying. I consoled the dying and their loved ones. I also worked with family following sudden unexpected deaths in the form of accidents, incidents, suicides, and homicides. I buried four of my co-workers. I assured all I came in contact with of God’s love and grace and tried my best to help at the worst of times. I developed deep respect for everyone on the front lines of these battles for life: nurses, doctors, police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, EMTs and dispatchers. Every one of these respond to help strangers in danger at their own risk.

This time is different. This time we’ve lost a close personal friend. And it’s hard and it’s not fair, not at all. None of it ever is. I’ve been on scenes and in situations where family members ask me why God has taken their loved one? I didn’t know then and I don’t know now. Some will say loudly and proudly that it’s all part of God’s plan, which can be reassuring or terrifying. Perhaps terrible things just happen and God helps us with putting pieces of our life back together and making peace with a now empty chair.
​
This Sunday (Oct. 4), I’ll be thinking of her as we celebrate St. Francis Sunday and have a blessing of the animals following the service (we’re meeting in person at appropriate distances and precautions). She was a long time Franciscan and enjoyed blessing of animals and the joy on the faces of young and old.

I believe in all my heart that we’ll see her again in heaven, that she’s with Jesus, and that at the last day she’ll be resurrected. But right now, I just want my friend back.

The Rev. Stephen Reed, pastor, St. Paul Church on Farmers Loop next to Mushers Hall.
Chaplain, police and fire.
​
This Insight Article is sponsored by Tanana Valley Christian Conference
​​Printed in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner's Faith Section October 2,  2020.

Theology!

What is it? Why, as in why does it matter today?

Theology is the study of God. But what does theology have to do with us? Why, especially in this crazy year, does theology matter? All good questions! There are many questions in the study of God.
First lesson from my very first day in seminary, printed largely and loudly upon the chalk board: “GOD is GOD. You are not.”

“God is God. You are not.” There is far more to that statement than first meets the eye. And therein lies the study of theology.

When we try and figure out what God is doing, i.e. what God is up to, we first begin by recognizing that God is wholly (and HOLY) other. God is not us. God is not our relative, friend, neighbor, co-worker. God is God.

It is easy to think of God as being like you, your friend who agrees with you on just about everything. Surely God roots for the same teams as you and wants the same wins as you. That must be God. And surely God has the same views on everything as you and roots for the same political party and candidate as you. Why if God were here right now, I am certain God would drive the same truck as you! No doubt about it.

Okay, that’s not actually God. That’s not to say that God is driving an ecofriendly hybrid either. Perhaps God exists beyond cars and trucks and games and politics (and even time!).

I used to work a job where God was invoked by loved ones in the hopes of another breath, another heartbeat and another chance. Life is just that tenuous and just that fragile.

What can we say of God? How can we even begin to understand?

In Anglican Theology, in which I was raised (or steeped to use a British term) there is a three-legged stool upon which we stand seeking God. One leg is scripture. Many faiths stop at this leg. Scripture is enough! “Solo Scriptura” as Martin Luther once proclaimed (that’s scripture alone). The problem (whenever people are involved there are problems….) is that scripture can say a great many things. In Biblical books of Samuel, Numbers and Judges there are passages that call for killing every man, woman and child in a given area. Really. Look it up.

So back to the three-legged stool: the first leg is scripture. The second leg is tradition, defined as how the Christian faith is lived out over the centuries. To use the above example, tradition teaches us that killing every man, woman and child lead to genocide and wars and goes against Jesus command to love God with all our heart, soul and mind and to love our neighbor as ourself. Some faiths emphasize tradition over scripture.

Finally, the third leg of the three-legged stool, after scripture and tradition, is reason. Reason is the rational mind trying to make sense of an irrational world. Reason includes one’s experience within the world. Reason, to again use the above example, might say (scream!), “I don’t even want to go to that village. I’m going to leave every man, woman and child alone and avoid needless suffering. Or I might even try and help and thereby serve and love God.

Now we’re near the end of this article and the beginning of your study. What have you learned thus far? God is God, you’re not God. Only God is God…. If you think God agrees with you on everything, well that’s your dog, not God. God doesn’t drive your preferred truck or car and isn’t consumed with self-righteousness on sports, politics or transportation. Help the people in the village and the people around you, your neighbors and strangers. Consider looking at a given issue, or maybe this crazy year, through the lenses of scripture, tradition and reason. You might find that you’ll grow in understanding and in faith.

We’re going to get through this year, upcoming elections and whatever is next around the 2020 corner. We will. Together we will make a difference as we reach out to help one another and show the love of God.

This Insight Article is sponsored by Tanana Valley Christian Conference
​​Printed in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner's Faith Section on September 11,  2020.

Once again 2020 continues to amaze and mystify. What is God up to? I do not know.

As I write this article I do so praying for family and friends in the path of Hurricane Laura in Texas and Louisiana and for family and friends in the path of wildfires in Colorado and California. I pray as well for people in a number of cities across our country experiencing protests, riots, lootings, shootings and other unrest. 2020 continues to challenge us all on a great many levels and in a great many ways.

I write this also as I recover from days spent cutting, hauling, splitting and stacking wood. Cutting, hauling, splitting and stacking wood is something I can cope with and understand. Freshly cut wood (neighbor fell a few trees) is heavy. It’s true. Hauling heavy wood over a muddy hillside is a challenge.
What does all this have to do with an insight article? Good question. Let me explain.

Cutting, hauling, splitting, and stacking wood is an act of faith. It’s true. It’s an act of faith that says that not only this winter will come, but next winter will also as have all past winters. The recently cut, hauled, split, and stacked wood won’t be available to burn efficiently and effectively heat our home till, at least, next winter (2021-22). There is a rhythm of life in interior Alaska and that rhythm involves seasons and the challenges each present. Summer presents the challenge of mosquitoes while winter the challenge of extreme cold. Each also involves acts of faith, big and small, every day.

In the midst of all this is the reality of the (extremely!) strange times in which we live. Some fear engaging friend, neighbor, and stranger for fear of COVID-19. This plague has presented many challenges to each and all of us. Pray for our nurses, doctors, teachers, students, truck drivers, grocery store workers. They are on the front lines of the COVID battle.

We are also in the midst of elections for a great many elected positions. While I will not advise you on how to vote, I will implore you to vote. Many have sacrificed in battles near and far that you can be free to participate in our representative Democracy. Pray for our elected leaders, voters and candidates.

I ask your prayers for our first responders (law enforcement, fire fighters, paramedics, and dispatchers). First responders have very challenging and difficult careers. Each must make incredibly difficult decisions in mere seconds. Each serves the community and sacrifices time from family and friends to answer calls of strangers in highly stressful circumstances. Imagine for just a moment what life would be like as a first responder. The stress and situation are enormous. Pray, show respect and appreciate the difference first responders make each and every day.

In the book of Exodus, Moses is called by God to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. In the Gospels, Peter is called to start the church. What is God calling you to do? I believe God is calling each and all of us to care and pray for one another. 

​This Insight Article is sponsored by Tanana Valley Christian Conference
​​Printed in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner's Faith Section on August 28, 2020.

Have you heard that 2020 is more challenging, more difficult, and/or more painful than any year we’ve ever experienced? 2020 has certainly been filled with challenges, stresses and stressors. I have lost track of all the many things that have happened or are happening. The events seem to blur into a big heap of trouble. As a nation, we’ve experienced nature’s wrath in storms, earthquakes, flooding, wildfires and more. Our military continues warfighting in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, South Korea and beyond! As a nation we continue to experience the pandemic and orders/mandates/guidelines/tests/quarantines, postponements and fears/anxieties. Many have lost jobs and others lost pay. Tourism has vanished. Our nation is in the midst of struggles over race, justice, law enforcement, and leadership and riots, looting, shootings and fires. And there are elections coming up for everything from school board to President of the United States.
Wow, what a year it has been, and continues to be and it’s only August.
So is this the most stressful and difficult year ever?
Yes absolutely! It’s never been this bad before. Never!
Unless you were to look at life in the 1918 Spanish Flu and World War I or the Dust Bowl and Great Depression that followed a few years later. World War II began a few years after that and the entire world, including Alaska, was at war.
Our nation has been through extreme civil unrest beginning with the Revolutionary War and continuing with the Civil War and in the 1950s and 1960s over Civil Rights and the war in Vietnam.
Why do I bring all this up? I bring this historical (and at times hysterical) perspective only to say that we have made it through very difficult times before.
Take some time to talk with people with experience. And listen. There are, at least, two ways to listen: Listen to respond to what is being said (that’s how many interact on social media) or listen to hear. Listening to hear takes time and focus, but the lessons are fascinating and rewarding.
Finally, I think of a couple of people: Joseph (from the book of Genesis) and Peter (the fisherman formerly known as Simon).
Briefly put, and there’s a wonderful musical that is far more entertaining than I am, Joseph was the favorite son of Jacob. Sibling rivalry got the better of his brothers and so they sought first to kill him and then chose to instead sell him. Several events, years and circumstances later, Joseph encounters his brothers from a position of significant power and influence. Does Joseph seek vengeance upon his brothers? No, he forgives and provides.
Peter is called by Jesus (and renamed) to follow him. Jesus preaches, teaches, miraculously heals and provides, and does a great many more things. Peter acts rashly, boldly and at times stupidly (I easily identify with Peter). Later Jesus is captured by religious authorities. Peter, who had boldly proclaimed his loyalty to the end, denies ever knowing Jesus the first time a girl asks him. Jesus is crucified, dead and buried. The story, it would appear ends with his death. But no, Jesus rises from the dead and seeks out his disciples. When Jesus sees Peter, does he condemn Peter? No, he forgives him and empowers him to start his church.
The Bible is filled with powerful experiences of redemption and forgiveness.
So yes, 2020 is a deeply challenging and difficult year, but it is by no means the most difficult. God is at work, though we don’t always understand how. We’re going to get through this and we’ll be stronger for it.
This Insight Article is sponsored by Tanana Valley Christian Conference
​​Printed in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner's Faith Section on August 14, 2020.

Recently Saint Paul Church celebrated Saint Paul. Why, you might ask? Because Saint Paul (and Saint Peter) are remembered on June 29 in the church calendar. What’s so special about Saint Paul. Is it that he, like other saints, is perfect? No, that clearly is not the case. Not at all. He’s not a saint, and neither are we.
Consider this, Paul, by his birth name of Saul, is mentioned a few times in the book of Acts. He is first remembered for his participation in the stoning (read murder) of Stephen (my namesake) in the seventh chapter of the book of Acts. Saul is there as Stephen is killed. Next Saul is remembered in the eighth chapter of the book of Acts for going from house to house hunting (really) Christians. Finally, in the 9th chapter of the book of Acts, Saul seeks warrants to hunt Christians in Damascus. He is taking his quest beyond Israel. Saul is hunting Christians and there’s no bag limit.
On his way from Jerusalem to Damascus, Saul is struck by a bright light, like lightening. When he asks what is happening, he hears Jesus’ voice in the midst of it all. Saul at long last realizes he’s been persecuting the very Son of God. He realizes the error of his way and follows Jesus.
Why do I share this story of Saul and Saint Paul and St. Paul Church? I share this because we are living in stressful and difficult times — like those of the early church. We are living in a time in which we simply don’t know what is going to happen next. The news is full of surprises ranging from statues toppled, looting, rioting, protesting, to Russian bombers and murder hornets. We just don’t know what’s going to happen next. Yet I say to you that while we don’t know, God does!
Saul did not change to a believer named Paul on his own. He changed because the Lord was at work in a mighty way. We do not gather to worship Paul. We gather to worship our Lord who works through us all, even zealous Saul who eventually became Paul.
Saint Paul is a story of redemption from a bad guy Saul who hunted Christians to a good guy Paul who preached the good news of Jesus Christ who died and rose again for all. Paul wrote many of his New Testament letters from a prison cell. Hard times are not a new thing for Christians or for the world. Yet we persevere like our great nation. We shall overcome as we, all of us, gather together in Christ Jesus.
May you know the Peace that surpasses all understanding, the Peace of Christ Jesus our Lord!
​
Rev. Stephen Reed, pastor, St. Paul Church on Farmers Loop next to Mushers Hall.
Chaplain, Fairbanks Police Department

​Printed in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner's Faith Section on July 10, 2020.

​

A Christian is a follower of Christ.
Christians are not limited to one Christian denomination, church body or faith practice. There are literally thousands of Christian denominations and churches throughout the United States and the world. Some are ancient and some begin daily. Each strives to honor and worship Jesus in a variety of ways. In this article I will discuss two key aspect of all Christian faiths: Jesus and love.
Jesus commands Christians to love. Specifically, Jesus states (in the Gospel of Matthew — the first book of the New Testament) that the greatest commandment is to love God with heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37-38). Christians are also commanded to love neighbors (Matthew 22:39); love one another (John 13:34-35); and love enemies (Matthew 5:44-45).
Let’s unpack that a minute. Love God, love neighbor, love one another and love enemies.
Jesus’ command to love God with heart, soul and mind originates with the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (NKJV), “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” This is a total and devoted love of God. It is powerful and all consuming.
Love your neighbor originates in Leviticus 19:18, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” In the Gospel of Luke (10:25-37), Jesus shares the parable of the Good Samaritan in response to a question asked by an expert in the law, “And who is my neighbor?”
The parable tells the story of one person after another ignoring the victim of an aggravated robbery left on the road to die. The least likely person, a Samaritan, takes pity on the victim and cares for him. The victim did not reside next to his helper, nor was he of the same religion, nor the same nationality. Yet the helper, a Samaritan and therefore despised by Israelis, stopped and helped him and paid for additional care. As Christians we can hear Jesus’ command to love your neighbor as yourself to include anyone. Think of it.
Love one another originates in John 13:34-35, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Jesus says this shortly after washing His disciples’ feet and predicting his betrayal. Jesus commands Christians to love one another; He does not command us to have anger, judgement, gossip, or unforgiveness. Jesus is quite clear about each of those as signs contrary to faith. Yet there are those who spend more time talking about than talking to. The commandment ends with this: “Everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” If only!
Love your enemies originates in Matthew 5:43-45, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” This is, perhaps, the commandment with which I most struggle. I find it very difficult to love my enemies and to pray for those who persecute me. In a similar fashion, I struggle with the part of the Lord’s Prayer that connects my forgiveness with my forgiving others. It is not easy to be a Christian.
In this article I have tried to briefly convey Jesus’ commands that we love God, love our neighbor, love one another, and love our enemies. Jesus says that the world will know we are His disciples if we love one another. Imagine for just a moment if that’s how Christians were known — as people who love. We live in hard times, many are struggling with fear and anxiety about Coronavirus and Economic uncertainty, and what, besides murder hornets, awaits us in 2020. Let us take time to love. The world, and our neighbors, need love.
Rev. Stephen Reed, pastor, St. Paul Church on Farmers Loop next to Mushers Hall.
Chaplain, Fairbanks Police Department

​Printed in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner's Faith Section on May 15, 2020.