Friday, May 24, 2019 – Love one another!

“Lay down one’s life for one’s fiends”

There are times in my life when I have had difficulty loving myself let alone loving someone else. However, the command from Jesus for us today is to love one another. This is not always the easiest thing to do. There are people that just rub me the wrong way and surely I rub others the wrong way. No one is perfect but I think most of us try to love everyone. It is easier to love someone than not.

In April of 2004 my wife, Anna, and I went on vacation to Ireland. One of the places we stayed for three days was an old manor house which had been turned into a restaurant, cooking school and hotel. The facility was run by Quakers and one of the many remarkable things about the place was that there were no keys to the rooms. It was part of the Quaker philosophy of friendship and trust.

During our visit, we experienced a terrible storm for a day and a half. Heavy rain and wind made everyone choose to stay inside which in a strange way brought an extremely unlikely and diverse group of people together. There was an Italian film crew doing a documentary on Ireland. There was member of the British Parliament with his family, a touring opera singer with her pianist from Germany and my wife and I. There were about 20 people all total plus the hotel staff. We were all in one place with nothing in common and nowhere to go for the moment.

With hurricane force winds and sideways lashing rain outside we remained inside safe and warm. During the day we had great food, wonderful conversations, and because there was no television we entertained ourselves. That evening after diner spontaneous entertainment began. The opera singer performed, the Italians had instruments, and the staff played traditional Irish music.There was story telling and dancing. It was a exciting and magical experience.

The next day was clear and beautiful and everyone was off in their own direction. Fast forward 3 days and our vacation was about to end and we were walking down the street in “Temple Bar”, Dublin. All of a sudden we hear a strong voice yell out, ” Robert, Anna”. It was the Italian film crew greeting us with hugs and kisses.

In the Gospel readings for Sunday and the the Gospel for today, Jesus says four (4) times “Love one another” (John 13 and John 15)

I know what you are thinking,

“Do I have too?” 

Yes we do!

Chapter 15 of John is the “I am the vine you are are the branches” sermon. Obey my commandments and love one another. Jesus said this at the Last Supper which is obviously significant and important.

To love one another seems an impossible task for nations, world leaders, even families to do in our world today.

However, every act of love begins with you. When you give of yourself even in a small way, you are loving someone. In family gatherings you are loving by putting differences aside. You may not like a neighbor, but a friendly greeting or simple act of kindness shows love. Support your community: donate blood, support Saint Vincent de Paul, volunteer with a group serving the homeless, the poor, the environment. Reach out learn and listen to others from different cultures and religions. The possibilities are limitless. Be respectful in your language. These are all simple acts of love that begin with you and spread to others.

I love you!

God Bless

Bob Burford

Prayer: Have a great and loving Memorial Day Weekend!

About the Author

My name is Bob Burford and am married to my lovely bride, Anna. I am a cradle Catholic and worship at Church of Saint Mary's in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I am active in the Knights of Columbus and praying where the Lord wants both of us to serve in our new faith home. College degrees in Economics and Accounting. My wife and I have eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren with a sixth to arrive this Fall. Love Pope Frances and proclaiming the Word of the Lord in my life! Please pray for all the Ukrainian people. Pray for their salvation and physical and emotional health.

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13 Comments

  1. Good’ay Bob, todays Gospel makes my day.
    I love you Jesus. Thank you for our everydays life. Amen.

  2. I love your reflections on today ‘s READINGS, Bob. Sure practical ways of Jesus’ commandment on love. It begins with us, in small small ways then it grows. Tks Bob and may God help us to obey His command of LOVE

  3. Thank you Bob for this reflection. I really needed this today. I’m dealing with a son with mental illness and all I want to do is run away!

  4. Bob,
    Great story about trip to Ireland and how love for one another can show up in the most unlikely places.

    Dear Anonymous with the son with mental illness.

    I will be praying for you today. It can be very lonely to suffer with those with mental illness, but know you are not alone. God and prayers are with you today.

  5. Thank you Bob and God bless you and your family. I have been married 63 years. And have three daughters one son. Twelve grand children and 20 great grand children and another one coming in October god willing.
    I love the Lord with all my heart and others as Jesus guide us to do. I write Spiritual Writings and share in Face Book my name is Bertha Gonzalez. We live in Califronia. i enjoyed your stay in Ireland.

  6. As I contemplated the readings/psalms, I picked up in the first reading that the “whole church” made concessions to the church in Antioch because some had disturbed the Antioch community’s peace of mind. The issue had to do with circumcision. Out of love for the community, a decision was made that the gentiles would not be subject to this mutilation. This had to be a huge concession for the Jewish (Christian) community. Out of love for our neighbours, we too are called to make concessions, even if we disagree. The Psalm follows with a song of praise and thanksgiving. At first I thought this odd, but then I thought, yes, makes sense because when you are given a tremendous gift (as the gentiles were given) it is only natural to break out into a song of praise and thanksgiving.

    In the Gospel, there are three themes “I have chosen you” “Go and bear fruit” “Love one another”. What an honour it is to be chosen by the Master, (including in the secular frame of reference). Once we accept the invitation (as in Confirmation), it is expected that we are diligent about keeping the commandments ‘love God, love your neighbour’. As with many Christians, I find that very difficult to do, even with those I love – hmmm! Which brings to mind that Jesus said we have to turn the other cheek. So if my neighbour (or the one I love) disturbs my peace of mind, what should I do if my neighbour or the one I love refuses to comprise – I must turn the other cheek, in essence ‘suck it up!’ which is what I am having to do presently. The issue is a simple one which doesn’t adversely affect my neighbour, in fact doesn’t affect him at all. I want to keep the peace, in this tiny storm, so I have asked God to help my neighbour have a change of heart, if not, then help me to keep the peace by turning the other cheek. In the end, I hope and pray that this tiny incident will bear fruit, good fruit, abundant fruit, 30, 60, 100.

    Have a great day, and Happy Memorial Day to our neighbours to the south.

    God bless

  7. Bob, very good reflection. I too in my life find it hard to love my self let alone my neighbor. I try to keep my mouth shut instead of lashing out at others but it still plays on my mind and heart. Is it possible to love your neighbor but not like them and how they act and behave? Empathy is definitely one of my weakest vertue.
    Have a nice Memorial Day weekend. Remember to pray for all those who put their life on the line protecting us from danger.
    God bless.

  8. Skip, absolutely it’s fine to love them, but not like them or what they do. It has been mentioned on this site a few times that you can love them as a Christian (I believe the Greek word is agape, as opposed to philos [love of friends] and eros [sexual love], but please correct me if I’m wrong). This kind of love means that you want what is best for them, you hope and pray that good things happen to them. But you don’t have to like them.

    I think of it as more of a cerebral/mental love than an emotional love.

    Bob, love the description of your ti.e in Ireland, I have no doubt it was “magical,” as you put it. Also, what wonderful, practical ways to show love! Sometimes I find that reflections (including here) are so theoretical that they lack practical suggestions. A common one is “evangelize!” Yes, but how? Practical applications of the theory are always welcome. Thank you, Bob!

  9. Chris and Skip- no one expects us to be a “doormat’ to neighbor. Jesus never said loving one another was going to be easy or peaceful. My prayer is that you through God’s grace arrive at peace with your neighbor. Trying is all we can do. My prayer today is for all military personnel, police, first responders, and neighbors who are not easy to love. Have a great Memorial Day weekend.

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