FOLLOW THE WAY OF LOVE

Love One Another
Love is the Real Thing

Jesus taught his disciples the parable of the grape vine and its branches.  The vine provides the sustenance that the branches need to bear much fruit.  And he told them that if they abide in him as the branches abide in the vine, they will prove to be his disciples.  When they asked how to abide in him like vineyard branches, he replied that “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, that you love one another.”

The first African-American bishop of the Episcopal Church, Bishop Michael Curry, delivered the message at the royal wedding of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan Markle, an American actress of mixed racial heritage.  An audience of over one billion witnessed the wedding on May 19, 2018 and were captivated by Bishop Curry’s message on the couple’s selection of scripture from the Song of Solomon 8:6-7, noting that “Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.” 

In the introduction of his new book on The Power of Love, Bishop Curry writes that “love is the most powerful force for personal change and for changing the world around us.  Yes, we live in scary times.  Yes, people are hurting.  Yes, people are hurting one another.  But anger is not the key; revenge is not the answer.  The way of love—the love and power of God—is the key to our hope and to our future.  The message of God is very simple.  Love one another.  Take care of one another.  Take care of creation.  And while you’re at it, love me—love God.”

Somehow, one of the top ten ads of all time from Coca-Cola began replaying in my mind when I read this.  When I Googled the title, I learned that the ad man who conceived this iconic song had been diverted to Shannon, Ireland while on a flight from New York to London due to fog.  I know all too well how flight changes due to weather can rile people up!  Bill Backer observed folks who had been enjoying each other’s company earlier but were now raising their voices.  So, he picked up a napkin and wrote “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke and Keep it Company”.  The finished song added the tag line “It’s the real thing”.  But what is the real thing?  I’d submit its love.  Love is the real thing that the world needs today that can keep us connected!  That’s the subliminal message that resonated!  The jingle was then filmed on a hillside in Italy featuring a very diverse group of singers.  Later, The New Seekers recorded their version of “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing in Perfect Harmony” which also struck a chord with people around the world.

The Way of Love is what Verna J. Dozier called “The Dream of God”.  Isaiah saw the dream in chapter 11 when the earth would be full of the knowledge that God is Love.  We are all brothers and sisters of the family of God.  We are called to not only be hearers of the Word, but doers of the Word!  And when we rally together to support and encourage one another this dream of God can be fulfilled one person at a time for all humanity and all creation.  

 Love came down at Christmastime in perfect harmony!