21 Grams
I John 3:16-24
We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.
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What would you do for twenty-one grams? Would you work for it? Would you steal? Would you give something of yourself for twenty-one grams? I admit I'm getting ahead of myself because you don't know what is on the table (it could be diamonds or precious gems, after all). What if I reframe the question and ask, "What would you do for a human soul?" Twenty-one grams is the weight of a human soul; at least, that is what Duncan MacDougall believed in 1907 after conducting a series of experiments to determine if the human soul had weight. It gives us a moment to pause, reflect, and ponder what we would give (or if we give) for the sake of a sibling who has needs in our midst. And we choose to respond, choose to give and take action; why? (I assume there is a driving force behind our decision.)
The ancient Johainne community, disciples of John, were particularly mindful of this question, how they conducted themselves, and especially aware of how they embodied the teachings of Christ. Laying down one's life as Christ did in service to a neighbor was paramount to a Christian life. It was not enough for them to offer kind words or platitudes; these early Christians believed that in order to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, they needed to expand their capacity to love to the point where loving hurt. To lay down one's life for another, like Jesus, meant to offer one's time, energy, materials, resources, and prayers because that is what Jesus would have done. At the core of this sacrificial love and acts of service was the heart of Christ.
This is one of the most significant differences between the Christian life and a life dedicated to altruism and charity without faith. It's not as though a person without faith could not do good work or service. I don't believe the Johainne community would teach such things, but they are concerned about what happens in the hard times, when things get tough, and what is going to be that source of life that you draw upon to keep acting out God's love even when it seems impossible? The ancient Christian community was worried about our tendency to give in to fatigue, hate, and malice (don’t be like Cain), and they wanted to make clear and remind people not to give up because there is a greater force, a greater love, that will carry them through these obstacles.
And what is this great love that we are supposed to draw upon? It is not ordinary love; it is love that models the heart of God, agape love. The Greeks believed in different kinds of love, and unlike our modern-day English, they had words to express them. Out of all the forms, agape is the highest of love and charity. It reflects God's deep love for creation, for us, and our love for God. This love is key because as we consider how we love and put love into action, we are not limited to talking about abstract individuals we can help, but those sitting next to us this morning or joining us virtually. How do we love our brothers, sisters, and siblings more deeply, which stretches our capacity to put our words into concrete acts?
I understand that, at times, it is difficult to love. As we view the world today, love is said to be done exclusively within the bounds of what is and is not comfortable. Yet, God asks us to dig deeper, to know that even in moments of weakness, there is strength to overcome.
We hear in the words of the reading, "God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything." God knows how difficult life can be, and so demonstrated the ultimate act of sacrifice. This act reassures us that there is strength for us to call upon and frees us from the constraints we place on ourselves (so that we might love more deeply than we believe possible). God is greater than our hearts and greater than the temptation to give and serve minimally. God's vastness overcomes the narrowness of our perspectives and fears, enabling us to extend love not just in our comfort zone, but radically and unreservedly. This love doesn't calculate loss or gain; it simply gives. Thus, as we strive to embody this agape love, we lean into the source of life that encourages us and empowers us to break through any barrier. God is greater than our hearts and, in our weakness, does not condemn but strengthens us.
So, what would you do for 21 grams? What would you do for a brother, sister, or sibling? What would you want someone to do for you? It's a question we must answer if we are to respond in truth and action. It's a question that is as much about the stewarding of our time and resources as it is about our souls. And it is a question that is governed by G.R.A.C.E:
Give - Actively give your time, resources, and energy to meet the needs of others and follow the model of Christ's selfless nature.
Reflect - Consider the deep, sacrificial nature of agape love and how you can embody this love more fully, recognizing that we all share a common need for love and understanding.
Act - Move beyond words; demonstrate your love through concrete actions that support and uplift others. Move your spirit through prayer and your body throughout the church and community.
Connect - Foster genuine connections within your community, ensuring that no one feels alone or unsupported. And continue to nurture a connection with God, who lays the sure foundation for it.
Empower - Encourage and empower others to also live out these values, creating a ripple effect of love and positive change in the wider community.
As we contemplate the immeasurable value of one another, let us embrace the call to radical love—the kind of love that Christ demonstrated and the Johainne community urged. This love is not passive; it is active, challenging, and transformative. It demands that we move beyond words into the realm of action, where true faith is manifested. Let us not be content with simple gestures or mere expressions of concern, but instead commit ourselves to tangible acts of kindness and sacrifice that reflect the heart of God. As we go forth, remember that in every moment of decision, every opportunity to help a brother or sister, we are not just acting on our own; we are participants in the divine love that sustains and transcends our world. Let this knowledge empower us to act boldly, love deeply, and live out the teachings of Christ in every aspect of our lives.