The Vine and the Branches -- Lectionary Reflection for Easter 5B

"At the heart of Christianity is the heart of God -- a passion for our
transformation and the transformation of the world. At the heart of
Christianity is participating in the passion of God." Marcus
Borg, Heart of Christianity.

Marcus Borg has eloquently and succinctly summed up the Christian faith. It is about transformation and it is about participating in transformation. As a Christian, I am deeply committed to Jesus. Without him there is no Christianity. He embodies the revelation of God's love and mercy. He shows us that God is concerned about every individual person. He shows us that people are more important than rules.

I believe that Paul is correct, that "in Christ, God is reconciling the world to himself (2 Cor. 5:17). Paul speaks of the transformation of the mind as well -- (Rom. 12:1f). These are powerful reminders that God is in the world, actively transforming the world in Christ. And because the church is the body of Christ, God is using the church to accomplish this task. What a call to responsibility this is!