Love is a Verb - March 4

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm [70], 71; PM Psalm 74; Jer. 4:9-10,19-28; Rom. 2:12-24; John 5:19-29

My Tuesday book group is reading “Love is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times” by the Bishop of the Episcopal Church, The Most Rev. Michael Curry. The book tells of Curry’s life, the impact of his family and his faith, and offers a profound exploration of the radical way of love. In the first few chapters, he tells the story of the tragic death of his mother when he was a young boy. Shortly after, one of the members of his father’s faith community in Buffalo, New York, showed up at the house and begin asking what she could do. She was only there to drop off a neighbor’s child, but she stayed and was involved in their life for many years. She was an embodiment of love. Curry reflects how in many ways she gave up her life to help save his family becoming a surrogate mother and taking care of the many needs of the family from ironing clothes to caring for children. What he came to realize was love was not just a sentiment felt, but an action put into practice of the selflessly giving of all that way have. In this case, it was necessary to nurture and sustain Curry’s family in such a troubling and challenging time. As Curry says, “love is a verb.”

One of the more interesting ideas that Curry explores is his suggestion that the opposite of love is not hate, but selfishness. He asserts that if love is an action that benefits the other, if love is always looking outward, “to the good of the other, then its opposite isn’t hate… It’s a life completely centered on the self.” When I think of hatred, it seems so impossible to drive from our world, but maybe out of foolishness, selfishness seems manageable. Maybe because we are usually aware of our own selfishness and most people long to give of ourselves in a way that is meaningful and life-giving. What is then necessary is intention and thoughtfulness around the actions we take. We have to recognize that we have an opportunity to love, and we are called to it!

I’ve been reflecting a lot this past week on the purpose of a faith community. I am torn with the great paradox of this past year that will be played out this coming Sunday as we gather in person and outside for the first time in a few months, and probably in the largest way since March 15, 2020. This very action is so hopeful and yet it will also happen with our community grappling with the loss of life in our midst. The more I reflect, I can’t imagine a more hopeful and important opportunity to gather. See the reason we gather as church is to be reminded that we are indeed the Body of Christ. And that as we gather, we come to know that Jesus’s outstretched arms on the cross reach out to each of us, extending to the far ends of our human existence. It is in community that we come to know that nothing, not life, nor death, can separate us from the love of God. We come to know life and life eternal through the self-sacrificing care we offer each other and through the love and commitment to walk this journey of life together.

Our Gospel this morning captures this. This passage in John equates the reception of eternal life to believe in Jesus Christ. When we think of belief, we should be stirred up to consider, if we believe in Jesus, what we are really proclaiming is God’s act of self-giving on the cross, of a life that is fully lived for the care and love of others. This love can’t be reduced to some sentiment that simply affirms a truth, but a way of being and love that transforms the world. This love is an action verb.

As we continue in our response to need, in our care for one another, today’s Gospel offers us a reminder – eternal life is the gift that God has given us, and we can experience it now and always when we believe in God. This belief changes the way we love in this world. This belief causes us to love. A simple action verb that changes everything.

John+

Questions for Self-Reflection:  Who are the people in your life who selflessly give of themselves?  In what ways do you do this?  And when does selfishness creep in?

Daily Challenge: Do one action that is out of your comfort zone to support someone else and selfless give of your time, talent, or treasure.