Saturday, April 11, 2015

Today’s Reading  |  John 15:12–17
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.” (NRSV)

Reflection
I have had to find new community many times in my life. Going to college, moving to Korea for a year, internships, and, finally, employment, all requiring new surroundings. Each time, I started my process of finding a community by finding a church. There is something very unique about the love and support you feel when you walk in a new church. I don’t take the feeling for granted; I’m generally shy about introducing myself, preferring to sit in the back taking in the surroundings. But it is never long before someone in the church notices me and takes me under his or her wing, introducing me to members of the church, and before long, I feel like I belong. I feel loved. When you find the right church, they are living out Jesus’ commandment to love one another.

Jesus tells us that the greatest commandment is love, and he tells us that we have the power to take part in sharing it—sharing this love with all we meet, creating a supporting and caring space for people to grow and continue God’s kingdom here on earth.

Prayer
Thank you God for your unconditional love. Help me to be a light for your love to be shared with those around me and all who I meet. Amen.

Written by Katie Patterson, Junior High Youth and Mission Coordinator

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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