Learning to love

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.
Matthew 26:37-40

The verse that is spoken at the conclusion of a Sacramental Consultation outlines a practical training in love.

First, we need to make an offering of our thoughts. Only when we free ourselves from habitual patterns of thinking and understanding the world can we grow open for the renewal of mind and heart that is needed, if we are truly to love.

Following this, we can receive our will as a gift, as grace, rather than developing it according to our own desires, as we are used to, as if it were our own possession.

By letting go and letting come, we can experience peace. All of our experiences become transparent for the reality that underlies them: the revelation of God.

Then we hear a promise: we will be permeated by love to God and love for our fellow human beings. In this way, we tread the path of the imitation of Christ, whose being is love.

Tom Ravetz

The congregation is warmly invited to attend the Confirmation on 21st April, as well as the talk to prepare it – ‘The Joys and Sorrows of Life’ – what do we confirm and why is it needed? by Willem Boonstoppel on 20th April at 7.30pm

Tom Ravetz and Nataliia Shatna