“If any one says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should love his brother also.” (1 John 4:20-21 RSVCE)
Very few, if any of us, can pass through this world without experiencing broken, hurtful relationships. Either someone we love disappoints us, or we disappoint someone who loves us. At times, the hurt can be so great, the anger so deep, that we do not forgive or seek forgiveness. We need to examine our lives and identify any relationships that need to be repaired and renewed. Then we need to do what is necessary to love as God commands.
But, there is another way in which we fail to love one another. In the ordinary moments of our day we encounter God’s will for our lives. We encounter one another. It may be a family member or friend, it may be a stranger. Do we see them? Do we show them the love of God? A kind word, a smile, a helping hand?
Father of Mercy, help us to love. Break us out of our self-centeredness. May we see those You place in our paths and have the courage to love and respect them according to the dignity given them by You.
Into the deep…
