Jesus asked a third time, "Simon son of John, do you love Me?" Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, "Do you love Me?".  "Lord, you know all things," he replied. "You know I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep." (John 21:17 NRSV). 

Last week as the election came to an end, I thought I decided that I was not going to have any kind of a response to the end results no matter how I feel about the outcome. Now here we are a week later and I have had a few very concerned individuals come to me needing to talk  about their feeling of the election.  My response to their questions and concerns is to ask, "What changed as far as our role as citizens of this great country where we serve as disciples of Christ?" So now, I think I need to say something about our role in the election results. 

Now our feelings and emotions might be all over the place but our reactions toward the world should not change. We are to still serve the country by loving our neighbor no matter who they may have voted for and we will always serve the poor and needy of this country and world. This is Jesus response to Simon when he was addressed. Jesus wated to make it clear that no matter what he thought of the people in the world he would be the apostle that would love all God's people.

There have been similar church-wide responses to the election. Our ELCA presiding Bishop, Elizabeth Eaton, reminds us that regardless of who was elected president or to other leadership positions in our country, our call to be Christ in the world doesn't change. The Grand Canyon's Synod Bishop, Deborah Hutterer states, "For those who are filled with joy today, I ask for your prayers, support and compassion toward those who may feel fearful or lost. For those who are anxious, may you know the comfort of a God who holds you close. Jesus sustains us all, inviting us into a spirit of action and healing, no matter the season or the outcome."

Emotions across our communities are varied and deeply felt. For some, there is joy and hope; for others, uncertainty and worry. I invite you to turn your focus once again toward Jesus, our unchanging source of comfort and strength in all times.

Jesus has always offered peace to those who face the unknown, guiding us to be compassionate and kind, especially when emotions run high. No matter the outcomes we face, God's presence is here, reminding us that we, as the church, are called to be communities of hope, love, and reslience. 

I do believe that our democratic process held strong, with countless voices casting ther votes. As people of faith, we trust that God is at work, weaving or voices into the greater tapestry of God's vision - a future we nay not yet see but trust is filled with grace and purpose. 

Together, we are the body of Christ. We are called to work to bring love and comfort to a world that so deeply needs it, regardless of how we feel about the politics of the world. AMEN.