When we eschew the core narrative that all are made in the image and likeness of God, the next step is to dehumanize one group of people. From there, the virus spreads. And death is passed to all humanity.
You cannot love God without concrete practices of uplifting God’s Kingdom within your neighborhood.
Scribe: Tell me, Teacher. What is the most important thing that God requires ….
Jesus: You should love the Eternal, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” The second great commandment is this: “Love others in the same way you love yourself.” There are no commandments more important than these.
Love and fear are opposing forces. When fear is aroused, our ability to be inquisitive and hopeful is overridden. We raise up the goggles of mistrust and defensiveness.
How in moments of this human emotion can we love our neighbors as ourselves? God hears that stressed call. The reality of humanity’s fragility is not lost on God.
“Love your enemy. Offer blessing prayers for those who seek to continuously harm you. This is the way that you are able to become children of the Father in Heaven.”
Throughout time those seeking power understood when fear can be used as a motivator, people will turn against the other. Power is consolidated. Perhaps that’s why Jesus places this teaching directly in front of his discussion about prayer which includes:
“Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.”
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