Bulletin 3.3.24

Bono: You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what
you put out comes back to you; an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics
– in physical laws – every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It’s clear to
me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe. I’m absolutely sure of it. And
yet, along comes this idea called grace to upend all that “as you reap, so you will
sow” stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the
consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed,
because I’ve done a lot of stupid stuff.

Assayas: I’d be interested to hear that.

Bono: That’s between me and God. But I’d be in big trouble if Karma was going to
finally be my judge. I’d be in deep (trouble). It doesn’t excuse my mistakes, but I’m
holding out for Grace. I’m holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross,
because I know who I am, and I hope I don’t have to depend on my own religiosity.

Assayas: The Son of God who takes away the sins of the world. I wish I could
believe in that.

Bono: But I love the idea of the Sacrificial Lamb. I love the idea that God says; Look you
cretins, there are certain results to the way we are, to selfishness, and there’s a mortality
as part of your very sinful nature, and, let’s face it, you’re not living a very good life, are
you? There are consequences to actions. The point of the death of Christ is that Christ
took on the sins of the world, so that what we put out did not come back to us, and that
our sinful nature does not reap the obvious death. That’s the point. It should keep us
humbled…it’s not our own good works that get us through the gates of heaven.
— Bono Vox (Paul Hewson of the band, U2), Bono: In
Conversation with Michka Assayas (April, 2005)

The Call to Worship: The Prophet Isaiah 25.6-9

The LORD of hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all peoples on this mountain;
A banquet of aged wine, choice pieces with marrow,
And refined, aged wine.
And on this mountain He will swallow up the covering which is over all peoples,
Even the veil which is stretched over all nations.
He will swallow up death for all time,
And the Lord GOD will wipe tears away from all faces,
And He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth;
For the LORD has spoken.

And it will be said in that day,
"Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us.

This is the LORD for whom we have waited;
Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation."