Maybe You Could Lower the Bar?

Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:35 (NRSV) 

Ack. There it is again. The thing that signals to the world that we belong to you, Jesus. Love. Love among disciples. Love for neighbor. Love for the enemy. 

There’s no getting around it. But what if we can’t do it?  

I can’t. I try, but self-preoccupation is a permanent squatter in the house of my heart. Even with the help of your grace, I doubt I’ll evict it this side of the grave.  

So, would you consider lowering the bar?  

Instead of commanding me to love others, maybe settle for something more entry-level, like inflicting as little harm as possible on people? I might manage that, although even bare restraint is challenging these days.  

Not that I actually go around inflicting a lot of harm (probably because I don’t get that many chances). But I do say a lot of harm and I think harm even more, because don’t they deserve it, the rich and powerful who positively exult in being cruel? 

I know what you’re going to say. I’m just telling you that if the bar were a tad lower, I’d have a better chance of clearing it.  

Like I said before, maybe you could not say, “Love others, like, really love them,” but instead say something like, “See that one, over there? Good, now repeat after me: ‘There goes a human being burdened enough, they don’t need me piling on.’” 

Would not piling on count? Because honestly, these days, down love’s long road, it’s about as far as I’m likely to get. 

Prayer
If not love, Jesus, then at least let me not pile on.

About the Author
Mary Luti is a long time seminary educator and pastor, author of Teresa of Avila’s Way and numerous articles, and founding member of The Daughters of Abraham, a national network of interfaith women’s book groups.