John 13:34-35 (The Message)
“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”
These are private, intimate words spoken by Jesus to his disciples, and to us. They cut through all the pretense and get to the heart of the matter - what really counts - love!
Love bears and endures all things. It can live with and respect differences. Love listens even when we don’t like what we are hearing. Love hangs in there when there is little to be received in return. Love has the unquenchable capacity to believe the best in the midst of the worst. Love endures all things!
We are being encouraged to hate rather then love; in our politics and even in the church. Yes, hate, fear, and stay clear of those who are different from us.
All of which is contrary to one of the clearest commandments our Lord gave us.
We are to model Jesus love by how we treat each other in all aspects of life.
For, as Martin Luther King said,
“Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it.
Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it.
Hatred darkens life; loved illumines it.”
To love is not to demand ‘sameness’
but to affirm ‘differentness’,
and to live together in harmony.
Prayer thought: “Lord, help me to affirm ‘differentness’ in my thoughts and actions this week…and always.”
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