LOVE IS NOT OPTIONAL

I am still considering some of the content from yesterday’s Journal entry on ‘Love Each Other.’ This directive from the Lord is easy to say and slides off our sentimental tongues like ice cream. That is, until I actually need to love some of the folks that come my way. Truth is…I don’t like them and often don’t love them. So, I cobble together some kind of spiritualized phrase like, ‘But I still love their soul and do not want to see them perish from the presence of God.’ I just want someone else to deal with them.

What I have determined is that ‘I want to love people who are just like me.’ That can only mean that the one I love most is myself, and therefore if you identify in ways that are similar to me… I might love you too… maybe… at some point. If others are like me spiritually, politically, educationally, wear the right kind of boots and Wranglers and like Mexican food and drink Cuban Coffee and like Chocolate Cookies… I could soon love you like Jesus said. Trouble is, preferences are never given as an option in the teachings of the Gospels.
This reminded me of a quote from Thomas Merton (1915-1968) Trappist monk, who said: “Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they deserve it.”

The scriptures and strong voices of the mystics and prophets ruin my squeaky little squeezy way of dealing with ‘Love Each Other.’ Have mercy, Lord.

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.” Jesus