Reflect

In the Peanuts comic strip, Linus once said, “I love humanity. It’s the people I can’t stand.” How often have we though this, even if we haven’t verbalized it? Humanity is abstract—people are real. They get in our faces with their demands and their smells and their aches. They interrupt our plans, and they mess with our stuff and sometimes break it.

We may never be called on to lay down our lives for someone else. But the small sacrifices we make show our love, and showing our love is life affirming. How do we do this? Taking time to drive someone to the doctor or to the store shows love. Reading a story to a child, visiting with a homebound person, listening to a friend or relative who just needs a sympathetic ear—these are all ways in which we can show love. These actions may cost nothing but a bit of our time and maybe some gasoline or a few dollars. But they are life-affirming because they are ways in which we say to others, “You are important to me” or Your life has meaning.”

Being generous with our time is life affirming. It is one of the best ways we have of showing God’s love. And often it costs us nothing at all. An added bonus is that the blessings wash back onto us, because it makes us feel good to know we’ve reached out and helped ease another’s burden. “Whoever does not love abides in death.” What a harsh sounding statement! But maybe it is a necessary one to make us realize that we must care for one another. That is love in its purest form.

Question

1. What do you think the scripture in 1 John (3:11-17) means by saying that those who do not love abide in death?
2. How could Cain have dealt more productively with his anger and disappointment toward Abel?
3. Can you think of a time when someone went out of their way to help you when that person really didn’t have to? How did that person’s gesture make you feel?

Act

1. Keep your eyes and hearts open to those who may need you. Agree to chauffeur an elderly relative or neighbor to the grocery once a week. Cultivate your listening skills.
2. Consider volunteering to teach an adult to read or to be a Big Brother or Big Sister. Look around your own community to see what its needs are and how you might be able to help. Try to find a friend or relative who is willing to join in with you on a project.
3. Think of someone you don’t really like and make a conscious effort to do something nice for that person next time you get the chance. If it is someone you seldom encounter in your daily life, consider doing something special for that person, keeping in mind that that person is beloved of God, just as you are.

Photo by Pascal Bernardon on Unsplash