Now this is something. It makes the whole world look different.
Now we can understand how it is that Jesus can tell us to love everyone.
We can't work up chemistry with everyone. We can't just summon affection. But then Jesus isn't talking about that kind of love. He's talking about a special love - the love and life of God that we can shine upon anyone, even those we don't love, and even those who we have a hard time loving.
it's a love that's like the sun. The sun shine - we don't even have to want it to shine - and we walk outside and the sun is going to shine on us and it will have its effect.
Imagine being able to shine that love upon the world and upon other people. Brother David Steindl-Rast, a Benedictine monk, has written about this. he likes to call it "blessing other people."
"Blessing" is a good word because "love" can get messed up. God's life and love flows in us and we bless other people with it. And when we bless them, we connect them with God's love ... whether they know it or not.
It's what we're called to do. We're called to love other because love is of God.
- Little White Book, Diocese of Saginaw