Love at a Different Angle
This Sunday's Gospel brings an enriching message to all of us. Jesus presents to us his greatest commandment of LOVE.It is easy for us to love persons whom we like, who are good to us, who show care and concern But to love those people whom we don't care about, we don't really know, we hate, it seems a tremendous burden.
Jesus asks us to simple love -- to love one another, to love everyone. That for me is difficult. That is, if I consider love in my own terms.
The Gospel challenges us to love. The least expression of this is simply respect and acceptance.
I have received a text message before which goes thus,
"Friendship isn't based on how many secrets you share, isn't how well you get along nor how much you like each other, isn't how people see you together. But it appreciates the differences, the gaps, the hindrances, the trials, and still, a friend looks at you, straight from the heart, without hatred, without judgement, without envy, without criticisms, only pure acceptance and respect."
In the same way, we could say the same thing with love. To love the person simply means to respect and to accept him. This may be the minimum. Yet, unless this happens, love won't grow. It is unthinkable to say that you love a prson without respecting him or accepting even the littlest defect he or she has.
This love does not only apply to our friends, our families, those who are close to us. This applies to all.
Our rector in his goodnight last night, talked about this same thing, "We don't choose whom to love. We rather choose to love."
And so the when the lawyer asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" He seemed to ask, "Who do I choose to love?"
The challenge is simply to love... just like the Good Samaritan... just like Jesus.
It's not that simple. I know. That is why it's a challenge.
