Sunday Readings: Acts 14.21-27; Revelation 21.1-5; John 13.31-32, 34-35
Jesus speaks to his disciples at the last supper after Judas leaves. “A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so also you should love one another. In this way all will know that you are my disciples: if you have love for one another.”
(John 1.34-35)
Love lived faithfully and sustained over time translates into actions. Love is a verb. Cook, clean, wash clothes, plan, shop, pay bills, fix. Like the bass drum in a marching band these actions set the pace and rhythm of our days. Hard won achievements become cymbal crashes. Acts of kindness and gratitude lift our hearts like babbling flutes.
As in Jesus’ life, our lives sometimes ask more, even everything we can give. A sick child, a sick parent, mental illness, trips to the doctor, worry, fatigue. Our lives lived long also ask in the end all we have to give.
Jesus stakes his claim with us in our capacity to love one another. In each act we transcend our individual selves and free the power that heals and gives life, that holds families and friends together, that inspires service of country and church, that draws neighbors into communities.
Whose love inspires your own?
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