Loving One Another
A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another.
John 13:35
Recently, a friend discussed wrestling with a question posed to her, which went something like, How do you respond to “ethnic, racial, gender, political, and cultural” identities within a wide variety of Christian traditions and communities? In today’s post I’d like to share a couple Sunday morning experiences that helped me illuminate this question.
Early in October, Ron and I spent time in Nevada to attend our granddaughter’s wedding. Mere steps from the resort hotel where we stayed in downtown Reno was a lovely, old stone church that announced an 8:15 a.m. Sunday service. I told Ron since we didn’t need to be at the morning-after-the-wedding breakfast until 10:00, I’d like to attend.
Ron and I were two of only nine attendees. There was also the minister; two older, single women and a young Hispanic couple who attend regularly; and two young men—first timers like us—whose demeanors seemed dejected.
The pastor led us through worshipful contemplative prayers before delivering a succinct, meaning-filled message from Exodus. He apologized for the choir practicing in another part of the church; prayed to God the Father in the name of Jesus; and together, we gathered around a table to celebrate the sacrament of communion.
On some deep level, as we stood around that table, my soul felt like it was on holy ground. I sensed this small gathering represented what the Church looks like.
Back home a week later, we attended our church with several hundred congregants. Skilled musicians led us in exuberant, heartfelt praise and worship. The executive pastor addressed the congregation concerning painful events raging in the Middle East. Together we prayed for world leaders and innocent people in both Israel and Palestine—especially the children—whose lives are being torn apart by hatred and violence. To God the Father, in the name of Jesus, our pastor petitioned peace might soon come to this region.
As our congregation prayed together, once again, I grasped a tiny bit of the mystery of the Christian church, sensing our large gathering provided a glimpse of what it looks like.
Participants in both gatherings were unique and at different places in their spiritual journeys. What united us was a deep desire to acknowledge and have relationship with something and someone bigger than “I--” as I am now or ever capable of becoming on my own.
Jesus, shortly before his crucifixion, told his followers he was giving them a “new commandment” to love one another. The love Jesus spoke of would transcend “ethnic, racial, gender, political, and cultural” identities.
As I wrap up these words, I cannot help but wonder if I did not see a bit of that “new commandment” exemplified during October 2023 in a small gathering one Sunday and large congregation the next?
Prayer:
Please, Lord Jesus,
Teach me—show us—
How to live out your “new commandment”
To love one another as you love us.
Amen
Blessings as each of us seek to love more and more like Jesus,
