3rd Saturday in Advent (December 18) Called to love

Prepare to Listen.  Light the pink candle and the first 2 purple candles.  Be still with this reminder: The Lord’s mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
 
Prayerfully Read 1 John 5:1-5
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child.  2By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.  3For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments.  And his commandments are not burdensome, 4for whatever is born of God conquers the world.  And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith.  5Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
 
Prayerfully Wonder
Sandwiched between verses on belief in Jesus (1, 5), the writer gives instruction about one command: Love.  The word is used five times as it’s the essential filling in the sandwich the essential filling in the sandwich, underlining Jesus’ teaching that our most important task is to love God with all we are and have, and love our neighbor as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40).  John writes, “We know we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.”
 
I didn’t grow up with this commandment as central to the Christian life, even though it was taught to me.  Instead, I was given numerous other commandments related to living a moral life.  We still focus too much on morality, such as no sex outside of marriage, no abortion, no homosexuality, and the like.  Funny thing, Jesus never taught us to focus on moral principles.  He taught us to love God and one another.  John’s epistle emphasizes Jesus’ teaching on love.  Not only does love make the world go round, love is all God asks of us.  Not a soppy sentimental love, but a love that extends itself for the other, regardless.  A love that begins with love for God that naturally pours out into love for others in obedience to God’s command.  To love God is keeping his commandments.  This kind of love is only possible through faith in Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God.  Learning to love God and love our neighbor will keep us busy the rest of our lives.  This is God’s call to us today and every day.
 
Prayerfully Reflect
In what ways can you live in love today?
 
Respond to Jesus
Forgive us, Lord, for putting our moral agendas before your command to love you and our neighbors.  Enlarge my faith in you so that I love more like you.  Amen.
 
Live obediently.  Love God; love one another.