Today’s author is Prince of Peace member, Anne Haugan.
“We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us – and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses to help . . . Little children, let us love, not in word or speech but in truth and action.”
When I was a student at the U of MN I took a class on World Religions. One thing I have always remembered from that class is that LOVE is the primary theme of all five major world religions: Judaism, Islam, Buddhist, Hindu and Christianity, but to each faith love is a bit different. Yet LOVE connects the believers with the divine and with some religions LOVE is expressed through actions.
For Christians the New Testament speaks of two forms of love:
AGAPE LOVE is the highest form of love – divine love, a spiritual love. It is the gift of God’s presence in the life of every Christian. It is the love of God for us and our love of God for others – an unconditional, selfless love. Because of God’s love toward us, we are able through the power of the Holy Spirit to love one another as Jesus Christ showed us the way to love.
PHILIA LOVE in Greek means “Brotherly Love” or “Love of Close Friendship” as found between one’s family and friends by accepting another’s differences and with treating relationships with compassion, honesty and trust. For example: Gus and I have been married close to 68 years. Granted those years have not always been a bed of roses. Perhaps like you, there have been misunderstandings, disappointments, resentments and sometimes hardships. However, with patience and loving forgiveness our relationship has remained strong. It is the same with family members, friends and even strangers. God’s love is present no matter what the circumstances we are facing, and we have the Holy Spirit to guide us and be our companion and teacher.
We each have gifts to enrich our life and the lives of others: to be present and listen to one another, to show hospitality, to build up each other and support and encourage one another, to find ways to resolve conflict in a peaceful way, to keep doors of communication open, and to maintain a close relationship with Jesus Christ.
I think the following message sums up what it means to “love each other” and bring joy into other’s lives:
How People Matter by Isaac Prilleltensky
If you see someone falling behind, walk beside them.
If you see someone being ignored, find a way to include them.
Always remind people of their worth. One small act could mean the world to them.