An Invitation from Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry to Practice the Way of Love
I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. – Ephesians 3:17-19. In the first century Jesus of Nazareth inspired a movement. A community of people whose lives were centered on Jesus Christ and committed to living the way of God’s unconditional, unselfish, sacrificial, and redemptive love. Before they were called “church” or “Christian,” this Jesus Movement was simply called “the way.”
Today I believe our vocation is to live as the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement. But how can we together grow more deeply with Jesus Christ at the center of our lives, so we can bear witness to his way of love in and for the world? The deep roots of our Christian tradition may offer just such a path. For centuries, monastic communities have shaped their lives around rhythms and disciplines for following Jesus together. Such a pattern is known as a “Rule of Life.” The framework of – The Way of Love: Practices for Jesus-Centered Life – outlines a Rule for the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement. It is designed to be spare and spacious, so that individuals, ministry groups, congregations, and networks can flesh it out in unique ways and build a church-wide treasure trove of stories and resources. There is no specific order you need to follow. If you already keep a Rule or spiritual disciplines, you might reflect and discover how that path intersects with this one. By entering into reflection, discernment and commitment around the practices of Turn – Learn – Pray – Worship – Bless – Go – Rest, I pray we will grow as communities following the loving, liberating, life-giving way of Jesus. His way has the power to change each of our lives and to change this world.
Your brother in the Way of Jesus,
+Michael
The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry, Primate and Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church
TURN pause, listen, and choose to follow Jesus
LEARN reflect on Scripture daily, especially Jesus’ life & teachings
PRAY dwell intentionally with God each day
WORSHIP Join in community weekly to thank, praise & be with God
BLESS share faith and unselfishly give & serve
GO cross boundaries, listen deeply and live like Jesus
REST receive the gift of God’s grace, peace, and restoration
For more resources on The Way of Love, visit: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/explore-way-love. As you explore the spiritual disciple of the practicing the Way of Love, you might reflect on: what are the ways God is calling you to regularly engage in this practice; how can you incorporate this practice into your life regularly; with whom do you need to journey, in order to keep a commitment to this practice.