7 Epiphany - Luke 6:27-38

He burst into my office and said he was at wits’ end with his teenage son.

Parents, please suspend your disbelief, this is a true story.

After about 15 minutes of breathless verbal dumping, I stopped him, stood up and said,

“Come with me.”

I led him into a mens room and pointed him to the mirror.

He looked at me and smiled.

“That’s the problem, isn’t it: he’s just like me.”

“That’s also the solution.

How did you survive fifteen and get to where you are now?

He’s turning into you, and that’s ultimately good news.”

The mirror in God’s house is the baptismal font.

The promise and the project before us is growing up to become more and more

like our father in heaven.

When Nasim is baptized today, we will encourage her with Jesus’ words:

Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and

glorify your Father in heaven.

Live in such a way that people see the resemblance and say, “She is a daughter of God.”

And what does that look like?

Jesus draws a breathtaking profile.

Love your enemies.

Do good to those who hate you.

Bless those who curse you.

Give to anyone who begs from you.

Lend, expecting nothing in return.

Do not judge, do not condemn, forgive, give.

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.