Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Belief = Love




Love God. 
Love neighbor. 
The twin tenets of our faith. 

Sublimely simple, 
but “easier said than done.” 

We complicate 
with catechisms, 
books of discipline,
statements of belief. 

These good intentions 
often accommodate 
our fears and prejudice. 

Loving God 
is circumscribed. 
The definition 
of neighbor narrows. 

The Spirit reminds me 
of Fr. Richard Rohr’s* advice: 

In controversies 
of theology and morality 
always ask… 

What is the loving response? 

Consider a change 
of mind or heart. 
Be prepared 
to set aside 
our rules and regulations 
for love. 

Amen. 


Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7)