FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART
OP / ED BY DR. ROBERT KENNEDY
Perhaps it’s an excellent time to use as an introduction for the present reflection on the storyline of “The Pursuit of Love,” based on the 1945 novel In Pursuit of Love, which is a romantic comedy-drama about love and friendship.
Set in Europe between the two World Wars, it tells of the adventures and misadventures of the charismatic, fearless Linda Radlett (Lily James) and her best friend and cousin Fanny Logan (Emily Beecham), consumed by a desire for love and marriage. Both women were on the hunt for ideal husbands.
Their friendship was tested as Fanny settled for a steady life, and Linda decided to follow her heart to increasingly wild and outrageous places. As social and political divisions split their nation, their diverging choices raised personal questions that remain intensely relevant today – about freedom, love, sex, and the mystery of the human heart.
Amid the present wars in Ukraine, the Middle East (Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank), several countries in Africa and the Far East, with China and North Korea, threatening Taiwan and South Korea, etc., the question raised is whether there is much prospect to love neighbors, form friendships, or be friendly and loving to anyone we come across with any depth of commitment?
The question is pertinent because of the superficial way love is spoken of today. There seems to be much more attention given to the kind of love on which economic relationships are formed, that is, what we can get out of it, than on the genuine love that calls for personal sacrifices, serving others, self-denial, forgiveness, and all that is needed for lasting relationships.
Frankly speaking, many people are talking about love, but it is a superficial thing that lacks substance. Its source is lust and self-gratification. Nothing profound, nothing that draws on the eternal. The apostle John clarifies this when he instructs, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7 NIV)
In his letter to the church in Rome, the apostle Paul made a very potent appeal:
Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:8-10 NKJV)
Paul drew from the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), which includes, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” The heart of the commandments is, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:18)
Before Paul, Jesus had repeatedly shown to the religious authorities who questioned him, which is the greatest commandment in the law. Jesus responded by quoting Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’” (cf. Matthew 22:37-40; Mark 12:30-31)
The practical point being made is that if our love is to go beyond lip service, “I love you.” “I love you.” We need to draw from the source, especially during this time of conflict and the spreading of hatred.
We are not to allow all of the calls for revenge to confuse us. I was glad to hear the call of one African American young woman at the rally for Israel on the Washington Mall on November 14, saying with emphasis, “Lean on love, not on fear. Lean on love, not on hate. Lean on love.” I am not sure how many times she repeated those, but it touched my heart because when I am tempted to feel revengeful, I know there is a better voice saying, “Lean on love.” “Lean on Me.”
Yes, we need to love and not subject ourselves to hate and rage and all of the other demonic forces about us that create conflict. We need to love God, love ourselves and love our neighbors (aliens, foreigners and all those who are vulnerable.) I understand the political questions that are tearing the nation apart, that are causing many not to love. But we need to bypass the politics and ask God for the Spirit that seeks to pour love into our hearts. Yes, we need to pursue love.
