Love One Another

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.1 John 4:7-12

Yesterday when I heard about the bombing at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, all I could think about is our daughter Phoebe. She works in downtown Boston. We finally got in touch with her and she is fine. For awhile the cell phones weren't working. Her office closed early and she got home safely. When horrors such as these happen we cannot help but worry about those we love, and wish we could protect them from all danger, no matter how old they are. Gathered in the crowd were folks who were cheering on those they love. Running in the race were those who run to honor someone else. Some were running to raise money for victims of violence. All the running was out of love and joy - love of the sport and the joy of living. People cheered on the throngs for the same reason. Glad to be alive to encourage others in their quest, fulfilling a dream, fulfilling their hope to make it to the finish line.

Today, there is nothing more to say then it is time to love more ferociously than ever. It is time we act on our impulses to forgive and let go. It is the right time to be active in our love for others, doing everything we can to bring joy into the world. May our agendas never get in the way of others' joy. May our dreams always inspire more love and sacrifice for others. And may this day after such tragedy compels us all to live for God and for our relatives, our worldwide human family, bringing love to the darkest place in our common story.