Grace, peace, and mercy from God, the Father, Jesus Christ, his only, and the Holy Spirit. 

I wonder how many of you take comfort in listening to music. 

I enjoy many different styles of music, and what I am listening to often reflects how I am feeling. 

As of late I have found myself listening to the music of my teenage years. 

Years filled with the energy and protest of Punk Rock, guitar legends like Eddie Van Halen of the band Van Halen, and even classic music like Finlandia by Sibelius. 

Music has always had a calming effect on me. 

Perhaps when you heard Jesus say in Luke’s gospel to those still listening, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” 

Those are difficult words to hear, to love my enemy, when our first reaction may be to do just the opposite or at least loathe them. 

I don’t know about you, but at first this sounds like an invitation to be a doormat, to be walked upon, trampled underfoot, and ignored- even if there is a bright cheery welcome on the entry mat. 

Jesus knows alot about being treated poorly, rejected, ridiculed, and being run out of his own hometown. 

Graciously God so loved the world, loved us so much that mercy is best. 

I was raised and taught to follow the rule that Jesus defines as treating others how you want to be treated, “The Golden Rule”, but I am still challenged to love my enemies.

Our reading from Genesis relates the story of Joseph and what it means to love your enemy, even when they’re family. 

Joseph, who may have rightly upset his brothers with his boasts that they will bow before him, may have angered his family- but enough that his brothers sold him away. 

After two years of drought and starvation his brothers show up in Egypt unaware that this was a life saving homecoming of sorts. 

Imagine doing the worst to someone, short of killing them, only to be welcomed by them, “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” 

The sound of pins dropping and jaws gaping- have the brothers seen and heard a ghost. 

Imagine the brothers' surprise, if not shock, they have been found out and are told not to be distressed or angry with yourselves. 

Listening to this I can only imagine, vengeance, retribution, or perhaps renouncing his family- Joseph does the opposite. 

Rather than blame Joseph credits his journey to God, sent before his people to preserve them. 

God our wonderful creator, not to be blamed but blessed for the loving relationship that preserves and cherishes life. 

Joseph actually gives credit to God for sending him to Egypt, in an act of mercy that flows from the mercy of God. 

Mercy as a sign of God’s fidelity to God’s promise. 

Mercy flows like life giving water, cooling the flames of hate. 

Over the past few weeks I have been searching for signs of mercy.

I wonder and pray that I can live in harmony with God’s plan, even when humans appear to think they are in total control, somehow God is secondary to them. 

Mercy that God gives us even when we twist that gift away from the giver. Mercy that sets us free from hate, retribution, and acts of vengeance. 

In a moving statement from Nelson Mandela, who was freed after 27 years of imprisonment in 1991, “As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead me to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.” 

Loving my enemies begins with God’s unconditional love for me. Bitterness and hatred cannot produce good fruit. 

I wonder what feelings of bitterness and hatred might be keeping me from the freedom of God’s love? 

Was it something someone said to me, a sermon that touched a raw nerve, or was I blind in privilege to see and listen to the other. 

When Nelson Mandela was freed I didn’t quite understand what that all meant and I am only just regaining knowledge for the circumstances before us. 

When I graduated from college in 1988 I recall how our college began the process of divesting itself from organizations that supported or directly funded groups that attempted to order people as less than human. 

Perhaps you are seeing some of that happening right now and this is an opportunity to welcome the other, with compassion, understanding and paths that lead to mercy. 

“If anyone strikes you, offer the other cheek, someone takes your coat- offer them your shirt too, give to those who beg and do to others as you would have them do to you.”

When I preach to the choir what credit is that to me? 

Do I merely do what all the sinners are doing, take the easy way, or do I divest myself from them? 

Bullies want to be around other bullies, or at least others they think they can control. 

Many people were threatened by Jesus because they couldn’t control him for their own purpose. 

Jesus had no shame in putting others first. 

Even those who were ungrateful and wicked, not to be destroyed but loved. Jesus was giving, even to his death on the cross. 

On that cross were in the greatest pains of human suffering Jesus forgives, he is present for giving himself to others. 

Jesus is the leader who loves you and is the only one who guarantees our salvation. 

To take the name of Christ crucified and risen and use that for personal advantage is not looking out for anyone but themself. 

Jesus makes room at the table for everyone, for all the colors of creation, shining like a rainbow. 

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful,” as said by Jesus. As Pope Francis said, “Mercy is the true face of Love.” 

“In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now,” as said by Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde after the inauguration.

When you give nothing and only take I wonder what measure you get back, I cannot figure out the math or the art of that deal? 

I pray for compassion, for a generous healing, and hope that flows through our savior Jesus Christ. 

I would like to close with the lyrics from Merciful(At the Cross where Jesus Suffered) by Graham Kendrick. 

"Merciful (At The Cross Where Jesus Suffered)" Lyrics by Graham Kendrick | from the album Banquet 

At the cross where Jesus suffered I lay down my bitter blame Where he prayed Father forgive them Lord I know I must do the same Laying down my pain my anger Vengeful thoughts nailed to the cross Take the sting of wrongs remembered No more measuring my loss 

For my Father in heaven showed mercy to me 

How can I not be merciful 

When God's been merciful to me, God's been merciful to me 

I'll not use my words as weapons Or the past to gain control On my tongue no trace of venom Only grace to comfort and make whole I am weak but God is with me Past and future in his hand 

Turns to good the ill we suffer Works all things into Love's plan 

Holy Dove, return and rest here As I think and speak the best Though it takes ten thousand choices I'll press on to honor and to bless For the love of Christ my Saviour By the strength he daily gives This will be the thanks I offer I will totally forgive 

Thanks Be to God Amen