Reading
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-35 (NIV)
Reflection
In one of his many writings, Tertullian, a second-century North African theologian, once commented on how the early Christians were often regarded by their Roman overlords. Even those in power over them were amazed at the way Christians loved one another.
What would it be like for us, as believers in Christ, to have a reputation as people with a striking commitment to loving one another—and loving others, as well? What if those who thought to be against us changed their minds because we offered them kindness? Such a goal might seem too grandiose, but not if we start by shrinking it down and localizing it.
I recently had a conversation with a friend about how difficult it can be to know exactly what actions to take in being people of love. Christians, at their best, are people of love. That should be our distinguishing characteristic, above all else. Yet, it’s not easy to know how we can live that out, especially if we’re overwhelmed by the presence of so much vitriol and hatred in our society and in the world.
As my friend and I talked, it dawned on me that sometimes I feel disempowered to do much when I think only about the wider picture of society. It’s too much for me all at once. It helps if I start by shrinking down the scale of things. I find that zooming in on what is close at hand can make for a good start, when it comes to fulfilling my call to love as Jesus loves.
This winter, I’m embracing something new as a spiritual discipline. It’s quite simple, but I’m hoping it will lead to my growth as a person of love. It’s a three-week focus on getting me outside my comfort zone in showing love. This week I’m focusing on familiar ground, as I reach out to a relative—who lives many miles away and to whom I will offer kindness and support. The next week, I will focus on being there to support a friend I haven’t been in contact with for a long time. The week after that, I will focus on doing something that makes a difference in my community, when it comes to loving people and meeting their needs.
As I go about these various ways of practicing what it means to love, my guiding questions will be these:
- How might I learn more about the ones I’m loving…and listen more than I speak?
- How might I love them with the kind of humble love that Christ has modeled for me?
- How might I sacrifice something (perhaps through my time, effort, or generosity) in showing them love and caring?
Prayer
Loving God, teach me to stretch myself. Help me to reach out to others with love. In small things and in large things, help me to do such things with love. Let love be the defining characteristic of my life. Day by day, bit by bit, I desire to learn how to be more loving, to resemble in word and in deed the very one I follow, Jesus Christ. Amen.
