Thursday, October 1, 2020
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Mutual Love
Since you have purified yourselves by obedience to the truth for sincere mutual love, love one another intensely from a [pure] heart.
Peter has led us along The Way with Christ. He has described our gift and call. He has explained the benefits of obedience and the look of true reverence. Today he brings us to the heart of Christ – to mutual love.
God says: I am sometimes saddened by the way you look away when I speak of purity. When I speak to you of this quality it is not cleanliness and spotlessness that I have in my mind. This is a kind of perfection that causes you to think of yourself as flawed and imperfect – and these are words I do not use when I think of you. Rather, the purity I plant in you is one which brings clarity to your world, one which engenders in you a simplicity of mind and purpose. The purity of which I speak does away with complications and convolutions. You should not find yourself twisted as you aspire to purity for this simplicity of spirit is accompanied by ease and straightforwardness, by openness and directness, by honesty and mutual love.
In Luke’s Gospel we hear these well-known words from Jesus: If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (Luke 6:32-36)
Let us take a few moments to listen to the words of Peter for he is one who travelled closely and well with Jesus. He is one who understands the depth and breadth and height of mutual love.
Tomorrow, the imperishable seed of God’s Word.
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