From The Pulpit

Excerpts from messages being presented at area places of worship this weekend.

Rabbi Mordechai Levin, Beth El Synagogue

Earlier this year, a group composed of young Web developers, writers and filmmakers drafted a “Sabbath Manifesto,” designed to remind them of ways to slow down their lives, because technology was dominating too much of their time.

They suggested something called a “National Day of Unplugging,” which mandated 24 hours of freedom from electronic devices, computers, BlackBerrys, iPhones, etc. Their website stated: “Put down the cell phone, stop the status updates on Facebook, shut down Twitter, sign out of e-mail and relax, as part of our National Day of Unplugging.”

The “Day of Unplugging” is an interesting idea but hardly new or innovative. Judaism calls it “Shabbat,” a day of rest for a higher purpose, that is observed from sunset Friday until sunset Saturday (Genesis 1-2; Exodus 20:8-9; 31:16-17).

What is the Shabbat? It is a day of detachment from things, instruments and practical affairs, as well as a time to reconnect with the spirit. Rabbi Abraham Heschel described the Shabbat as a day of freedom for being with ourselves; a day of detachment from the vulgar; of independence from external obligations; a day on which we stop worshipping the idols of technical civilization.

Shabbat helps us to live a better life. It helps us to liberate ourselves from the tyranny of the clock, from our enslavement to things. Shabbat summons us to worship and reflect, to renew our dreams, to rekindle our hopes. It beckons us to a sense of the holy and toward an awareness of the sacred dimensions of life.

Some may now call it “the Day of Unplugging.” We call it “Shabbat, the day of delight” (Isaiah 58:13).

The Rev. Kip Mickelson, First Baptist Church of Omaha

I John 4:7-8: Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.

The apostle John, when he wrote this passage, had outlived all his friends. He had joined up with Jesus at a very young age. He and his brother were known as the Sons of Thunder, back in the day. He was one of Jesus’ inner circle of friends and was there on the Mount of Transfiguration. He was there in the garden trying hard — unsuccessfully — to stay awake as Jesus prayed. He was the only one of them who stood by the cross as Jesus died. He and Peter were the first disciples to run to the empty tomb. He had been banished to Patmos as a prisoner. Now, after all he had been through, all he had seen, all he had learned, everything came down to this one thought which he repeats over and over in his letter, “Beloved, let us love one another.”

These are not idle, warm fuzzy words from some sort of “softie.” The kind of love he is talking about is risky. It is risky because it is a love that accepts others for the simple fact that they were born. It chooses to see all people the way God sees them. It is risky because it is a love that forgives, which is an act of grace.

That means that if one loves God, one will choose to forgive even when it is the last thing you want to do. It is risky because it is a love that may or may not be returned. It is risky because this kind of love will change us into people that even now we would be unable to recognize. This kind of love is the kind that can cast out fear. It is the kind of love that can change lives ... and the world.

Arnold J. Bateman, president, Lincoln Stake, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We can look to the Savior Jesus Christ as our example of service. In the 25th chapter of the book of Matthew, the Savior teaches the importance of service.

The Savior tells us this concerning the faithful who will be on His right hand at His triumphal return. He says: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was hungered, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungered, and fed thee? Or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it you to me” (Matthew 25:34-40).

The opportunities to serve others are numerous. Each day, we can look for ways to brighten someone else’s day, to speak kind words, to do things for others that they cannot do for themselves. When we are engaged in the service of others, not only do our acts of kindness assist them, but we find greater happiness as well.

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