Considering the exile and sacrifice we have faced since Lent last year, Lent seems to have never ended. This pandemic, and the pressing of social justice issues and political unrest to the forefront, has pulled back the curtain to reveal who we all are—and how much the world is absent of genuine love for our neighbor. We have seen it, felt it, and struggled with it. What greater discipline, then, is there for Lent than love? I think it is quite obvious that Agape love and Christian charity can be hard, and often go against our instincts. It is hard to respect the dignity of someone we don’t agree with, or even someone who has done nothing to earn or deserve that respect. Yet, somehow, I believe that is what our faith calls us to do. That love isn’t so much about what they do, but what we do. Loving our neighbor is easy when it’s appreciated, deserved, or encouraging; but Jesus made it clear that following Him was not going to be the easiest journey, by our human standards. In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke of both retaliation and love for our enemies:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
BUT…What if I don’t want to?? Ugh…this is hard! There really aren’t any loopholes in what Jesus taught. I struggle with it almost every day. I understand that things like politics, race, nationality, and even favorite sports teams can create division among us; but I see the message of the gospel calling us to bridge our differences respectfully and charitably. Love was central to St. Paul’s ministry, more important than even faith itself. “If I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing”. Christian love doesn’t mean endorsement or affirmation of another’s actions or behavior, but it also doesn’t mean slander, resentment, or celebrating another’s shortcoming. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul said, “Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
We are all familiar with that beautiful love poem, yet there are times when it can be quite convicting. Words of anger, hate, resentment sow seeds of the same. Look at the “likes” and “shares” all over social media of the human family attacking, demeaning, insulting, and discouraging those they have chosen not to respect (love). In our baptismal covenant, there are some very powerful vows…
· Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
· Will you strive for just and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
To which we reply. “I will with God’s help”….
Even then, it’s still not that easy. What about ‘so-and-so’ that particular human that is hateful, or unkind, or violent, or abusive. There is no easy answer, yet it remains clear in the Gospel—in fact, within the whole biblical narrative—that God desires us to love one another, without conditions. So maybe that “tough love” is not endorsing, but respecting them as another of God’s creatures. Maybe it’s not engaging with them or supporting them. And maybe it’s seeking justice by whatever means, without failing to acknowledge that even then, this is a child of God. Paul said, “nothing can separate us from the love of God”, and if we believe that for ourselves, then we must believe that for all of God’s created human family. Dr. King was right: hate breeds hate, and even our words can feed those flames. I pray that not only our country, but all of creation, especially myself, can find a place of love and respect for one another, for therein lies our peace and the Kingdom of God. As we move toward the valley of Holy Week, and the glory and promise of Easter, let us remember to love and be love.
—The Rev. Jim Welch
St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Broken Arrow