Love – SSJE

God’s courtesy shows that we fail, but that we aren’t our failings; that we sin and do horrible things, but that we are not those things. God’s courtesy assures us that we are loved, loved for all of who we are, which is known fully and completely only by God. While remembering Julian of Norwich, Br. Lain Wilson reminds us that God's goodness allows for us both to see and practice a particular kin...

The day of quiet, polite, discrete evangelism is over. Our gospel, the gospel of Jesus’ love, needs to be shouted louder than the gospel of vengeance. Using the two-tradition story of St. Stephen's martyrdom, Br. James Koester challenges Christians to move beyond "polite" faith and loudly proclaim a gospel of love and reconciliation in a world increasingly filled with messages of vengeance.

Our own future is shrouded in some mystery. We bank our faith in Jesus – God Emmanuel, God with us – that when and how we face what awaits us, we will find the power of Jesus’ resurrection in the here-and-now. On the feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist, Br. Curtis Almquist sees Jesus' frequent insistence on silence and secrecy as an expression of love for his followers.

We always have the power to choose love over hate. We always have the power to choose an open heart over a closed mind. We always have the power to choose faith over fear. Do not be afraid. On this Easter Sunday, Br. Jack Crowley reminds us of God's unconditional love, and our own call to spread that love to others.

Where all seems lost, our hope is found. Against violence, in community, the Good Shepherd saves. All are found and held. Love and sorrow shared. In his meditation for Good Friday, Br. Luke Ditewig points to the intermingled themes of love and sorrow that converge on the Cross.

In this new command, we can hear the promise of Love’s coming victory, reigning from the cross and overcoming all and turning everything to glory and joy without ending. Br. Lain Wilson explores the many movements of the Maundy Thursday liturgy as invitations to surrender to the One who is Love.

We have in Jesus, our good shepherd: his power, and provision, and protection. Br. Curtis Almquist explores what it means for Jesus to be the Good Shepherd . . . and for us to be sheep.

Sometimes just being with God is loving God, in the same way that spending time with someone you love is a form of love. Br. Jack Crowley reflects on the struggle we may all face in showing up to God with love in our hearts, and assures us that God loves us unconditionally.

We keep needing to be saved from our limits, graced by expansion from power beyond. Br. Luke Ditewig invites us to expand our imagination and ask what is ours to do to accept the gift of God's love.