St. John doesn't leave room for excuses or rationalizations when it comes to our obligation to love everyone: "This is the commandment I have from him: Whoever loves God must also love his brother/sister." (1 Jn 4: 21). It's easy to love those with whom we agree or share similar likes and gifts, but the people who are "hard" to like, either by their actions or their attitudes are the ones that most need our love. It is amazing what we can discover if we can break through their outer shell. If we persist in showing them loving kindness, we will find similarities and common ground we never knew existed.
Jesus uses the words of Isaiah to describe his mission “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” ( Lk 4:18-19) These things are the work of love and they describe our mission clearly. It is love that unbinds and frees people of he burdens that hinder them from apparently being loveable. Taking the time to get to know them and uncover the fetters that bind them enables us to give them exactly what has been lacking. May we wisely and prudently put our mission into practice TODAY!
Bro. Rene
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