Lent offers each one of us a time for inward reflection as we journey with Jesus and his disciples toward the cross on Good Friday.  During this season of Lent we will begin our reflection with Love, God, Neighbor, Enemy. 

There are many people in our lives whom we love: family members, friends, church members, co-workers, and pets. The ways we show love differ for the various people in our lives. The Hebrew word for love, ahava, is connected to the word meaning “to give.” Here, love is not simply a warm fuzzy feeling, but a giving of oneself. There are three common Greek words for love: eros, romantic or sexual love; philos, familial or platonic love; and agape, a deep sacrificial love that acknowledges the humanity of another. Jesus’ threefold command to love God, others, and self is more of a cyclical dance than an instruction with three discrete subtypes. It is the same giving of self (ahava) love that is to be given to God, neighbor, and enemy.

We love because God loves us first. God’s love is foundational to our call to live into the Greatest Commandments: love God and love our neighbor as ourself.  If we are honest, some people in our lives are difficult to love. However, if we can expand our understanding of love beyond feelings of affection, we understand that loving God, ourselves, our neighbor, and our enemy is not just possible but imperative.

We will meet Thursday via Zoom at 7:00 p.m. Please call the church office for more details and a Zoom invitation. 

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