Paul writes to the Galatians: There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no longer male and female…

These days, we might add: There is no longer Republican or Democrat; there is no longer young or old; there is no longer church member or virtual worshiper…

Our identities are unique and beautiful and they are what the Holy Spirit works with make Christ’s love real in this world. But as Paul realized long ago, our identities can also be something that we cling to in order to keep ourselves separated and set apart from each other. Our identities can be used to sow division, stir up conflict, or create separation.

Yesterday was June 19th – the holiday which is known across this country as Juneteenth. We remember this day the end of the horrific practice of enslaving other children of God in the name of profit and white supremacy. Practices like this are the result of the sin of using our racial identities or skin color to create separation.

The God who created each of us in our uniqueness is not opposed to our identities, but, as Paul reminds us, Christ came to this world to show us that the most significant and lasting identity that we have is the one that is given to us in our baptism – Child of God.

As part of our outdoor worship celebration yesterday, we put those identities on pieces of cloth and attached them to the cross to remind us of the unity we share.

In baptism, we are “sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.”  This is our primary identity, the one that supersedes all the rest.  This identity – being children of God – is what unites us to be the body of Christ for the world, using all of our gifts and uniqueness to share God’s love.

Pastor Amy has a permanent reminder that she is marked by the cross of Christ (ask to see the inside of her wrist and she’ll tell you her story!). But whether or not it’s visible to the world, we all bear the cross of Christ.  We are claimed by God, loved by God, and one in Christ.  Thanks be to God.