This is a meditation on chapter 12 from our Way of Life.

Love your Neighbors as Yourself

Receiving love from others is an incredibly special gift. Feeling loved by others is a gift. Yet I know I can take it for granted at times. When I reflect on times when I am contented, loved, and feel cared for, I’m more at peace. I experience the very presence of God through that person. I receive love from the person of Jesus in and through their love. On my best days, I hope I am a carrier of Jesus’ love to someone.

As I sit here listening to music in the background, I’m reminded that love is a main topic of so many songs and movies these days. We’re all searching for love. I know I am. Even when I know I’m already loved by family and friends, I still long for more love. Songs tend to talk about a grandiose kind of love – something you would move heaven and earth for. That kind of love is beautiful and worth pursuing. After all, it is a taste of love our God has for me. But what about that quiet daily love? The love that is there when I didn’t know I needed it? The love that chooses to love my neighbors, even when it comes at a cost?

There are ways that I love my neighbors that seem obvious. Opening the door of the building for a neighbor I see coming, carrying a heavy load of groceries. Bringing treats to older neighbors who may not be able to make something themselves. Helping the mom when her arms are full. But what about the more integrated ways that show love by the way I live? How does that natural outpouring of love exhibit in my daily life? How does the way I live affect my ability to love my neighbors?

Reflecting on these questions, a couple of things come to mind. I need to build time and margin into my life so that I can be there for neighbors when they need something. I know that when I’m rushing and have my schedule packed, I often don’t have the space to sense the Spirit’s prompts. I miss those cues to be present with my neighbors. When this happens, it is one way the Spirit has prompted me to turn back to God in prayer, silence, and contemplation. It is a reminder to build intention into my days so that I am more receptive to what God is doing in my midst.

Where and how I spend my time has a big influence on how I’m able to love people. Living a simple life allows more space to be present with God. It helps me to be more present with others. The simplicity in my life gives me space to do my best to embody the love of Jesus for my neighbor. Living with monastic rhythms to my days and weeks allows my focus to be on being present with God and others. It allows me to sense the Spirit’s prompts to love those around me when it might not be my initial reaction.

When I work to build a better future for my city, the goodness of God gains ground. If I can play a small role in bringing God’s Kingdom to earth today and love someone like Jesus does, it will be one of the most wonderful honors of my life. Working to right wrongs. Working to bring peace where there is strife. Working to honor the dignity of every person – every child of God. These things are both active and passive intentions. They take time, care, and intentionality from me. They ask something of me.

Living a life of faith that loves God and loves those around me asks that I change how I live. I must live in a way that actually asks something of me. I must respond to the call from God to make myself less so that others can become more. So I choose to give things up to serve my neighbors. I choose to make time for them. I choose to live a life that shows my neighbors the sacrificial love of Jesus. I choose to love my neighbors.

Photo Credit
Paul Prins on 24 April 2023 in Paris, France.