We are now about halfway through the Easter season, and the main message is that of love. The last line of the passage from John’s Gospel sums it up: “This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
People often wonder how the Church grew from a band of 12 apostles into over one billion today. The answer is simple: demonstrable love. If our faith were not true, why would people join the early Christian community? If people did not feel a strong connection to God, as demonstrated by the love shown among the community members, why would they put themselves at risk of being captured and killed?
The answer is obvious: The Church has something special to offer that goes deeper than any other entity. Her followers not only believe in the message; they live it. Love is not an emotion; love is a decision that people make each and every day. That message of love propels people to look forward to the new creation. God makes all things new, as the Book of Revelation tells us. Moreover, God gives us the ability to see the newness of life through the eyes of faith and love.
This week, ask yourself, “How do I demonstrate love?”
Reminder: The Orchard Lake Philharmonic concert is on May 31 at 8 PM.
