LOVE Lent 5

Scripture

‘With what shall I come before the Lord,
   and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt-offerings,
   with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
   with tens of thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
   the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?’
He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
   and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
   and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6.6-8

Reflection

Love is many things. There are many words in both the Hebrew and Greek texts which make up our Scriptures which are translated into English simply as 'love' - each with their own different meanings and nuances. 

But one thing love is not, is distant. It is not detached - love is always about relationship - with God, with ourselves, with others, with the creation. And love calls us to wish the best for the object of our love, love calls us to strive for the best for the object of our love. And in a world filled with inequity, love calls us to justice when we see those who are excluded, oppressed, persecuted, neglected, traumatized, struggling. 

Love is deeply committed to the well being of what or who it loves. It calls us, as the prophet says, to justice, mercy, and humility. 

Prayer

With what shall we come before our God?
How shall we approach the Almighty?
Should we write large checks?
Should we empty our wallets?
Should we promise to fast and pray every day?
Should we sign up for more committees?
Would that make God happy?
How shall we approach the Almighty?
With what shall we come before our God?
With humble hearts.
Hearts bent toward justice.
Hearts open in loving-kindness.
Hearts earnestly seeking God.

from Joanna Harader Spaciousfaith.com