Love is the Lesson

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This resource relating to Acts 10:34-43 provides a poem by Edmund Spenser (c. 1552/1553-1599) highlighting Jesus' sacrifice of love and a poem by Mary Karr highlighting Jesus' condescension.
Paid Resource: 
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Lectionary: 
Revised Common Lectionary
Source: 
Englewood Review
Related to Children or Youth: 
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Audio/Video: 
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Full Text: 
*** Revised Common Lectionary *** Lectionary Reading: Acts 10:34-43 CLASSIC POEM: Easter Edmund Spenser MOST glorious Lord of Lyfe! that, on this day, Didst make Thy triumph over death and sin; And, having harrowd hell, didst bring away Captivity thence captive, us to win: This joyous day, deare Lord, with joy begin; And grant that we, for whom thou diddest dye, Being with Thy deare blood clene washt from sin, May live for ever in felicity! And that Thy love we weighing worthily, May likewise love Thee for the same againe; And for Thy sake, that all lyke deare didst buy, With love may one another entertayne! So let us love, deare Love, lyke as we ought, —Love is the lesson which the Lord us taught. *** This poem is in the public domain, and may be read in a live-streamed worship service. CONTEMPORARY POEM: Descending Theology: Christ Human Mary Karr SNIPPET: … The miracle’s not just that you became us, but also those breathed-in instants allotted to us each (even poor Brother Judas), when one relinquishes self and will and want. Then you’re laid bare in us, and for some briefly gentle eyeblink we bloom and are you. [ READ THE FULL POEM ] from POETRY magazine (December 2001) A variant of this poem appears in Mary Karr’s book SINNERS WELCOME. Read the variant poem here. <<<<<< PREV. POEM | NEXT POEM >>>>
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Primary Author
Author: 
Edmund Spenser
role: 
Primary Author
Author: 
Mary Karr
Content Type: 
Key Scriptures: 
Acts 10:34-43
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RCL Lectionary Week: 
Year A Baptism of the Lord
Date: 
Tuesday, January 3, 2023