The Greatest Commandment and Most Difficult Commandment

"I give you a new commandment." For most of us this new commandment is the most difficult. "Love one another" resonates as I am driving on my daily commute enduring erratic driving and wanting to rage as I am frequently cut off by a speeding driver.  "Love on another" as a colleague takes an action that does not fit my expectations.  "Love one another" as I hear the constant barrage of acerbic comments in the current political season.  "Love one another" as I change the dial to listen to sports radio and the commentary is about the latest incident of a sports star.  "Love on another" as a family member makes a hurtful comment. "Love one another" as I hear the latest acts of violence globally and locally.

"If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love." Quite challenging in this day and age. Living in a cave devoid of human contact might seem easier.  However, that is not our calling.  We are called to experience life on life's terms as difficult as it might seem.  Perhaps we are called to spread the Gospel in ways we have not yet realized.  One can never know how an action of love can make a difference.

I think of today's reading from Acts as Paul and Barnabas  ventured into unknown territories to preach the Gospel.  How many times did they encounter rejection and yet persevered under the most challenging circumstances. Love another they did. "Behold, I make all things new," are the words we hear in the Book of Revelation. Forgiving, a word that is shunned in our society, is where a call to love begins for many.

My call to love today begins with those whom I encounter. It is a call to make a radical change in my actions and thoughts.  That change begins with surrendering my self-centered expectations and consider the words of the psalmist "Lord make me know your ways. Lord, teach me your paths."