Today’s Scripture: Luke 13:34-35 NRSV
“Just as I have loved you, you should also love one another” V34
This Advent we have been exploring some of the core characteristics Jesus taught his disciples as guidelines for living. He called upon them to exhibit compassion for others, to feel gratitude for the blessings of their lives, and to treat all people with respect. Today we conclude our reflections by his message that we are called to exhibit love for each other in our daily living. For Jesus, embodying the love of God is not to have a particular emotion. Love for Jesus was a verb; it was the actions he did that demonstrated the love that was incarnated in the baby of Bethlehem. From simple actions like listening to a troubled person to his death on a cross, Jesus revealed the many ways we can exhibit love. And we are called to love others as he demonstrated what that means.
Recently there was an incident reported in the news that I think demonstrates this in a dramatic fashion. An automobile accident on an intestate out west resulted in the driver being pinned underneath the car. An EMT pulled over and, seeing the problem, asked several other drivers who had stopped to help him lift the car off the man, which they did without hesitation. Certainly, they acted in away that demonstrated love as behavior.
While we may not be involved in anything so dramatic, still the lesson is the same. As we encounter various people each day, the salesclerk in the store, the greeter at Walmart, the person struggling with small children as they are in the check-out line, etc., there are many small actions we can take to make life easier for them such as friendly greeting or having patience in the checkout line. Love can be demonstrated in actions both large and small. And certainly, our world needs all the love we can give.
Reflections 