Who's on your "people to not love" list?

 

"Whoever loves God must also love his brother." (1 John 4:20-21)

Now you might be thinking, "I love everybody." 

Or you might be thinking, "That is impossible."

It's pretty hard to love an abuser, a liar or a cheater. For some, loving the President can be pretty hard. It can also be hard to love people that do not share your values, or live differently.

I have not read in the bible where Jesus said we are to just love people who look, think and live like we do. I've never seen where he made a "people to love" and "people to not love" list. He didn't seem to make exceptions when he commanded that we love one another. 

But, there are a lot of people today who have made an "exceptions to love" list, who think they are being righteous when they are actually just being judgmental.

We must keep in mind that loving someone does not mean accepting and allowing their behavior. It doesn't mean keeping them close to you when they are dangerous.

For instance, an abuser will quickly try to make a Christian feel like they are not being Christian-like if an apology for their abusive behavior is met with hesitation.

That's just nonsense.  

Love them and pray for them--from a safe distance. Don't wish evil upon them. Don't do harmful things to them, but stay away from them. Take time to work through a path to forgiveness.

Many people make choices and hold beliefs that I do not agree with, that I know to be contrary to the ways of Jesus, that truly leave me fearful for them, but even so, I love them.

If you have made a secret list of people who don't deserve your love, remember, love doesn't have to be deserved. If that were the case, I expect we might all be in trouble.

Thank goodness God loves each of us unconditionally. We must try to love our brothers and sisters the same.

Janet Cassidy
Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

janetcassidy.com
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Candy and Lent?

 

Do we see that the Lent that we are "doing" right now is in preparation for our role in the mission? 

Do we get this? 

Whatever you are doing for Lent should be preparing you for Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit will send us out on mission.

Two things: 

First, make sure your Lenten sacrifice is purposeful, and second, pray for an awareness of your role in the mission of the Church.

For those of you who struggle to understand why we do what we do during Lent, hopefully this will help you.

I became more aware of the direct Lent/Mission connection when Fr. James Mallon (Divine Renovation) was talking about the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert.

Scripture tells us that following his 40 days, Jesus went on mission.

If you are stuck asking, "How is giving up candy connected to all of this," this is your answer:  It's not about the candy.

Lent is about renewing our practice of self-discipline/self-sacrifice, generosity towards others (which assumes we are looking outward), and growing closer to God.

Whatever you are doing for Lent, be sure it is preparing you for what comes after.

What is God calling you to do in regards to the mission. What IS the mission that Jesus had, and what is OUR mission?

These are questions to explore which will make your Lenten experience much more beneficial for you and others.

Janet Cassidy
Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

janetcassidy.com
https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith/
https://www.youtube.com/@janetcassidy

 

 

A sneaky snake

My apologies to those of you who cringe at the sight of snakes, but please bear with me . . .

In the 21st chapter of Sirach we are told,  "Flee from sin as from a serpent that will bite you if you go near it."

What a great image for us whenever sin enters our sphere. Just picture it as a snake that is waiting to bite you. I'm guessing it will stop you in your tracks if this imagery pops up.

Oh, and the first image?

Beware of the smiling snake. The evil one can easily appear as such, but quickly transform himself into one that can put his fangs deep into us when we are least expecting it.

Remember The Fall in the Book of Genesis?

"Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made."

Remember, it was God who created the serpent and it is God who can protect us from him.

While you are praying your way through Lent, ask God to protect you and give you the strength to resist temptation.

Janet Cassidy
Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

janetcassidy.com
https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith/
https://www.youtube.com/@janetcassidy