Years ago I was working in a job making good money, on a successful career track, feeling good about myself. And yet, I was feeling like something was not quite in alignment. I was reading the gospels more seriously and looking at my life and lifestyle in relation to what Jesus was saying and doing. I realized I was being called to make some changes.
I was being called to align myself more closely with God in the service of love. To see with love. To listen with love. To speak with love. To act with love. I was to follow Jesus to those places where people do not experience love and love them. I was to follow Jesus to those places where people do not love and bear love anyway.
In this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus’ teaching to his disciples shows us what love looks like.*
- Being there with others recognizing our poverty and dependence on more than ourselves. We are called to help everyone know they belong in God’s beloved community.
- Being there with people who suffer. We are called to mourn the suffering of the world and to act to help alleviate that suffering.
- Being there for others with inner strength and humility. We are called to be about something greater than self-interest.
- Being there in unjust situations and speaking truth to power. We are called to do the right thing.
- Being there to extend mercy. We are called to trust in divine power and grace.
- Being there fully present with no hidden agenda. We are called to live with integrity.
- Being there witnessing and working for peace. We are called to be peacemakers.
- Being there with the heart and mind and hands of Christ. We are called to not count the cost, but to rejoice that God is so near and loves us and through us.
-- Trish Stefanik, Overlook Retreat House at Dayspring
For More...
This week, be there for someone in need of love, justice, peace, forgiveness, food, shelter, clothing, kindness, a smile, a hug, a listening ear, encouragement, money, advocacy, mercy, hope, joy, something you can uniquely offer on behalf of God.
