Across the Pastor’s Desk by Henry Doyle

 

“Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy.” — Thomas Merton

God sends his only son, Jesus, to show how much God the Father loves us. Through Jesus, we learn how to love another. He never commands us to like everyone.

Jesus said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)

As a Christian, I love other Christians and non-Christians; I love those with whom I differ slightly or greatly. I cannot pick and choose whom to love.

Sometimes it can be difficult to have a heart for everyone.

Let us join the psalmist in imploring God: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)

Occasionally, someone’s words and actions have greatly upset me and/or saddened me to such a great extent that my pierced heart wants to lash out in words and action. I have to restrain myself and call on God to keep me from saying and/or doing what I will regret very soon thereafter.

Jesus tells us to love those who have hurt us, those who have become our enemies.

“Lord, whatever you cause me to desire for my enemies, give it to them and give the same to me, and if what I ask for them is ever outside the rule of love, whether through weakness, ignorance or malice, give it neither to them, good Lord, nor to me.”

 

Saint Anselm’s prayer for his enemies

Being at odds with someone and hating others really drains us. Love takes energy, but not as much as hatred does. Loving others makes us as well as them feel good.

“Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only son into the world so that we might live through him.” (I John 4:7-9)

“Love liberates. It doesn’t just hold — that’s ego — love liberates!” — Maya Angelou

The Rev. Henry L. Doyle is the priest-in-charge at Christ Episcopal Church in Albert Lea.