Pastor’s Corner – May 18, 2025
Love One Another – John 13:31-35
Jesus’ commandment to love one another is at the heart of our faith and identity. We are to love just as Jesus loved his disciples, by this the world will know that we are his disciples. So the question is how did Jesus love in the gospels and his early disciples in the acts of the apostles demonstrating how we too should love?
In our human experience there are many types of love, romantic kind of love that Hollywood loves to sell, the kind that people “fall in love” and of course the “falling” is the easy part, just a prelude to something more and real. It’s what comes next that matters more like climbing a mountain that requires commitment, time, work and consistent effort to deepen and create acceptance, appreciation, vulnerability and creativity! Then there is the kind of love that’s shared in family, between parents and children, among siblings and relatives, holding space to protect, grow and nurture. And finally love that’s based on friendship through thick and thin that grows stronger over the years.
Now what about in our faith community? There is another kind of love that’s not often talked about but experienced in congregations as a form of affection that grows over time, practicing our faith together, in worship and mission. There is a lot of caring and sharing of affection that comes from genuine concern and engagement coming from a place of gratitude, acceptance, and grace. We build our liturgy around this affection and care, extending them in our mission to serve and making our world a better place. Every time we show up, in worship, fellowship and studies, we are encouraging one another and holding space to love and nurture one another. Even when we just share a smile and peace with one another we are saying I’m here, present and I care about you, you are not invisible, I see you and hear you!
Now I hear there are lot of toxic dysfunctional congregations that can do some terrible damage and traumatize people. I have met over the years people who have left the church, disillusioned and are recovering. Sometimes faith-based communities can lose sight of their identity and lean more towards accumulating power to control, influence and manipulate people. There is no accountability, transparency and shared mutual process of healthy community building. There are no perfect faith communities, nor families, lovers and friends, but the way we organize, build relationships and do mission that is more inclusive and universal do matter! It’s the kind of love Jesus demonstrated for us, that’s unconditional and inclusive, believing that there is no one beyond the reach of God’s love. We try to approximate this kind of love and follow Jesus.
I for one believe we are a lot healthier than most and are intentional in our practice of love. And our mutual affection for one another grows and deepens over time. So let’s show up this Sunday. When we do the message is loud and clear, I love you and care about you. Let us worship God together and empower one another! Amen
Pastor Dae