Happy Birthday to Me!

For the first time that I can remember, Maundy Thursday falls this year on my birthday, March 24. I turn 55. Holy crap! I turn 55 this year!

Every time a person who attends our Sunday evening "Discovery Time," alternative worship, celebrates a birthday, the gathered community sings and the person is asked to say what she or he wants for her or his birthday. While I used the occasion last evening to secure leadership for two upcoming positions in the life of the congregation, I admit that what I actually want is directly related to the date of my birthday this year, March 24, Maundy Thursday.

I wish that we could take seriously the sacrifice made for us. I wish that Christ's sacrifice meant more for us in the course of our everyday lives, especially in these ways:

1. Self-Worth: Jesus died for humanity, to defeat the twin powers of sin and death. Each of is is rendered good enough, acceptable, loved and treasured by this sacrifice. We can stop trying to earn the acceptance of self and others, stop proving ourselves good enough, lovable, valuable and important. We are invited to embody the sacrifice made on our behalf, by living full, abundant, giving, generous, virtuous lives. Our self-worth is not determined by some standard of behavior, level of affluence, position, power or fame. It comes with the assurance that we are worthy of the sacrifice that is made on our behalf, in the very fact that it has been made on our behalf.

2. Universal Impact: The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ is made, not just for those who will believe or behave rightly but for everyone. It is therefore universally applied. It happens to every person, in every place, throughout time. Who is more powerful than God? Despite what we hear, no one is able to undo what God has accomplished. No one can reject the basic human worth that is established in Christ. No persons, no matter how flawed, weak, sinful, ugly, angry, hateful, excluded, rejected, victimized or despised is outside of the worth that is established in Christ. Every person is included. Every person is saved. If not, then Christ's sacrifice is conditionally applied. Conditional application of Christ's sacrifice makes no sense.

3. Unity: If every person's basic human worth is established in Christ's sacrifice, then all of humankind is united, innately, under the umbrella of Christ. We are one. There are no intrinsic distinctions or divisions that set one apart from another. All those divisive forces around us have been created by those in positions of power in order to protect them and secure their hegemony. The Church of Jesus Christ has too often been caught up in protecting itself against some imagined threat to its power and position instead of loving persons for whom Christ sacrificed. All who embrace Christ are called, equipped, empowered and sent to embody the unity that Crucifixion represents. It is necessary for us to work for the sake of all of our brothers and sisters, and to ensure that none is victimized, oppressed, excluded or rejected.

4. Human Potential: If humans were to live in the unity created in Christ's sacrifice, then the ideal is possible. Human community comes from mutual respect, honor and love. If every person is innately worthy of Christ's sacrifice, and if every person is undeniably equal to every other, then how could we refuse to demand justice and fairness for every one of us? Humans can create together an ideal community of mutual respect, honor and love. The only reason that we have failed to do so at this point in human history is that we reject #1, #2, and #3 above.

So, for my birthday, that falls this year on Maundy Thursday, March 24, I wish that we could take seriously the sacrifice that is made on our behalf, on the behalf of every person, and that unity would result. From that unity, I wish that we could live out the potential of shaping ideal human community. I am told that the belief is naive and silly. I am told that it is impossible. I am told that people can never function from a position of such unity. Whether or not you believe in Christ Jesus, or practice a spirituality that is in any way related to him, is this not a healthier life-style for each of us? Is this not a more productive legacy for us to establish? I can think of no cogent reason to delay or to declare the attempt ill-fated before we even begin.

That is what I want for my birthday!