"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another."
“Love one another as I have loved you.” Oh dear! How in the world shall I do this? Love as Jesus loves me? Jesus’ love is unconditional; not bound by race, status, religion or relationship. Jesus’ love is fearless; eats meals with outcasts, touches the oozing sores of disease, puts everything on the line for the good of others. Jesus’ love is endless; it stretches from before beginningless time to forever. Jesus’ love is bold; claiming God for his Father and all of us humans for his brothers and sisters. How in the world shall I love as Jesus has loved me?
ReplyDeleteI believe Jesus revealed to us precisely how to love as he has loved us with his life and with his words. “Abide in my love.” This is what Jesus did. He found his direction, his courage, his perseverance and his True Self abiding in relationship with God. Perhaps another way to say that is, rather than putting his confidence in himself, Jesus put his confidence in his relationship with God. Sometimes he went off by himself to pray to his Father God and sometimes he called out his prayer in front of a crowd. Either way, Jesus found his will and his way in conversation with God, abiding in God’s love. And today Jesus tells us to do likewise, “Abide in my love.”
What an incredible invitation to abide in a love that is unconditional, fearless and puts everything on the line for us. Abide in a love that is so bold it transforms us into brothers and sisters who actually love one another the way God loves us. Abide in a love that is knows no end.
I believe the way to abide in such love is first off to acknowledge that it is possible (which our brother Jesus and many of our saints have clearly demonstrated) and then to keep the conversation between us and God going. Praying privately or publicly, whatever it takes, keep talking and keep listening for God. Hang tough and expect that Gods’ unconditional love will give us the will and the way to love one another. Acknowledge, consent and pray. I believe this is the way.