Love One Another

The greatest commandment is to love one another as Jesus loved us. Holy Scripture says it over and over again, "We should love one another."

But aren't we, generally speaking, already doing that except in where war and violence are present? Don't we, practically speaking, love one another?

Did you answer yes? Hmmmmm...... whoa, back! Just framing the question using words like, "generally speaking," "except in cases," and "practically speaking," paves the way to faulty thinking. Faulty because it leads us to believe that we're following the great commandment to love.

BUT! It is not enough to love "generally," or "practically" or even "except in extreme cases." We have to love unconditionally, all the time and in all situations and circumstances!

Having said that, we recognize how much in need we are of the Savior. But it isn't enough just to gaze with loving eyes at the infant in the manger; we must also raise our eyes to the ever-present crucifix, the sign of our salvation. It is by Christ's suffering that we see what loving one another really entails, not "generally speaking," or "practically speaking," or "most of the time," but always and everywhere just like Jesus.

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we have seen His glory!

- by Donna Nelson, OCDS (drn3rd at hughes dot net) edited by Soutenus