Photo by Devin Kennedy
A dialogue with Jesus:
Jesus: "Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them." John 14:23
Me: What is your "word"?
Jesus: "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another." John 13:34
Me: What do you mean by "another"? I love my family, my friends.
Jesus: "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? ... love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. ..." Luke 32-36
I mean everyone. "...even the stranger... even enemies... the poor... those in need... the widow... the orphan... the immigrant." Luke 10:25-37, Matthew 5:44, Matthew 25:31-46, Isaiah 1:17, Zechariah 7:8-10
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35
Me: What do you mean by "love"?
Jesus: "...to pray for them..." Matthew 5:44
"...to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God." Micah 6:8
"Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love." 1 John 4:8
May our hearts respond: Good and loving God, you love everyone. You desire that all people be united, even in our diversity and differences. You desire that we all may be one in you. You tell us not to judge. You tell us to extend love and kindness to others. Help us. Help me to be watchful and to guard my heart from hatred and lies. Help me to recognize and reject all things that separate me from you and from your call to love others. Help me to recognize anger and turn it over to you. Help me to allow your grace to transform me so that I may love you and others more fully. Thank you for your love, the hope you give, and your promises. Amen.
