Daily HOMILY for June 15, 2016: Commissioning Service

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Commissioning Ceremony

The Institute

June 15, 2016

ZACCHAEUS +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  This memorable story demonstrates the generosity of our God

Ø  To be generous is to give freely and abundantly; it is not to be stingy or reluctant to bless

Ø  Notice that Zacchaeus does not even have to ask for love, forgiveness, or mercy

Ø  All he has to do is be curious about who Jesus is

Ø  So climbs a tree, out of curiosity, but that is enough to open himself to overwhelming generosity of J

FROM DEATH ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Zacchaeus was held bound by profit & extortion, and turning his back on his own people

Ø  Whatever our boundary crossings, whether we were exploited or we exploited others,

Ø  Our lives became unmanageable in some way

Ø  Before coming to SLI or during R therapy here, we were ready 2B curious about another way of living

TO NEW LIFE +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  In prayer, therapy, & community, we encountered a Savior who didn’t shout words of condemnation, who didn’t judge us in any way

Ø  Instead, as Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus, we were blessed with Jesus’ attention and care

Ø  The worlds we left, where others had reason 2 complain about what a sinner we’d been, we encountered a Lord that didn’t join in the criticism

Ø  And it was that, that paved the way 4 us, as for Zacchaeus, 2 respond in freedom to G’s generosity

Ø  It allowed us to open our hearts to a divine love that knows no human limits

CONCLUSION ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Zacchaeus got the point, for his response to Jesus’ generosity transforms him

Ø  1 who’d been greedy & selfish, now’s living proof of abundant love of G, freely giving ½ of all he owns to the poor & restoring what he’d stolen four-fold

Ø  No one tells him or requires him to do anything

Ø  No one has to, because he’s been transformed by the mercy, love, & gracious abundance of Jesus

Ø  He has received a generous blessing and he becomes a generous blessing to others

Ø  The die is cast for great things to take place with Reggie as well, as he leaves us today, for he’s been touched by the Lord as was Zacchaeus

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++