A meditation given by the President of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), The Rev. Jean-Arnold de Clermont, at the opening service of the CEC Presidium in Hanover, Germany, 2 June 2004

 

Reading: 2 Corinthians 5, 1-21
Meditation: 6, 11-13

We have spoken very frankly to you, friends in Corinth; we have opened our heart to you. There is no constraint on our part; any constraint there may be is in you. In fair exchange then (if I may speak to you like a father) open your hearts to us.

This is the paradoxical situation of the Apostle Paul's relationship with the Corinthians: He has widely opened his heart to them and he feels that they are still closed in on themselves. I want to connect this image with the large passage of Chapter 5 we have just read, as a parable of reconciliation.

Paul explains how he received the benefit of the reconciliation of God with His people. He is under the control of the love of Christ; he has been seized by Him, and His love; so that his life does not belong to him anymore. But he lives for the one who has given His life for him. He has been transformed, re – created. He has passed from death to life; so, he is made a spokesman for Christ’s love, an ambassador of reconciliation.

One can approach such a rich personality as Paul's from different angles; but I think that in such a passage of the Epistles we are touching the core of his spiritual experience. It is in relation with this experience that the Protestant liturgical tradition to which I belong is built: the memory of the mystery of salvation in Christ, the offer to every believer to relate to it and be reconciled with God to be able to serve Him. When speaking of spirituality as it is usual today, this is the spiritual experience in which I draw a sense for my life.

That is why I receive the address of Paul to the Corinthians: "any constraint there may be is in you!", I receive it as a personal challenge.

First, it is the frame for self examination: In spite of Christ’s love for me, in spite of what he tells me about the will of God for a reconciled humanity, I don’t live in accordance, at the level of such reconciliation. I am always bargaining the conditions of my participation in the mission of reconciliation; I limit myself to a common standard if not less. But it is also a challenge for our churches! How are they true witness of the generosity of God’ reconciliation? What space are they offering to welcome newcomers? Are they prepared to be transformed by those who are knocking at the door?

Any constraint there may be is in you! This is also the echo of a word of grace to those who recognise the hardness of their heart "for the love of Christ controls us once we have reached the conclusion that one man died for all…" This is an appeal to let the love of Christ control us. And to pray "Come Holy Spirit, God Creator".