God is love. That is the message of this weekend’s readings. And that same love is the love we are commanded to share with our neighbors.
Jesus is very clear, “This is my commandment: love one another as I love 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.” (John 15:10-11 NSRVCE.)
Jesus made this a command. He is not asking us to love one another, but he is commanding that we love everyone. Without love, we are not in God.
Saint John says, “Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:7 NRSVCE.)
If we cannot show love to those around us, we cannot call ourselves Christians. We are not following the Christ when we show anger, hatred, bigotry, misogyny, and other forms of abuse. We are only Christians if we love those around us.
This week, we need to focus on loving everyone and not excluding anyone.
Pax et Bonum,
Bishop Greer