"Put a Little Love in Your Heart"

The predominant message in this past Sunday's Gospel was of God's two main desires for us: that we love God "with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds, and all our strength" and that we love other people as we love ourselves.

To love God and to love other people are not separate things; in fact, they are very much intertwined. How can we say we love God when we do not show love for his children? Remember that Jesus said that whatever we do, even to the "least of His people", we also do to Him. When we show love, generosity, and kindness towards others, we in turn show these things to God.

Some people are easy to love. These may include our families, close friends, and significant others. However, we are called to show love for everyone. This is not always easy. Some people "rub us the wrong way"; they may not be friendly to us, and may demonstrate traits we find unpleasant. Nevertheless, we are called to treat everyone with love and kindness. One principle I hold very strongly is that every single person has something special and worthy of love inside them. After all, everyone is a child of God! One's goodness can sometimes be difficult to see at first, but if we really try, we can find it. 

Some people have put up significant walls that shield their hearts and feelings from the world, perhaps due to past hurts and fears. They put on a tough, cold front and keep people out because they are afraid of being hurt again. This underlying vulnerability can be easy to overlook, and we can be quick to assume, "Oh, that person's just a jerk." Similarly, when people make mistakes and sin (and we all do!), the initial response is often to think that this person is an immoral, bad person. We do not typically see the whole situation and influencing factors surrounding the mistake, and we may come to dislike the person, rather than the action. 

Let us endeavour to see past people's defenses and mistakes and find their inherent goodness. Although it may be challenging, we are all worthy of this effort. We are all deserving of being treated with respect and kindness. 

In keeping with the theme of love for our fellow human beings, my choir sang Jackie DeShannon's "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" as our second Communion hymn.

Here are a video link and the words to this fun oldies song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acpLe00-0t8

Think of your fellow man
Lend him a helping hand
Put a little love in your heart
If you see it's getting late
Oh, please don't hesitate
Put a little love in your heart

And the world will be a better place
And the world will be a better place
For you and me
Just wait and see

Another day goes by
Still the children cry
Put a little love in your heart
If you want the world to know
You won't let hatred grow
Put a little love in your heart

And the world will be a better place
And the world will be a better place
For you and me
Just wait and see, wait and see

Take a good look around
And if you're looking down
Put a little love in your heart
I hope when you decide
Kindness will be your guide
Put a little love in your heart

And the world will be a better place
And the world will be a better place
For you and me
Just wait and see

People now
Put a little love in your heart
Each and every day
Put a little love in your heart
There's no other way
Put a little love in your heart
It's up to you
Put a little love in your heart
Come on and
Put a little love in your heart

As we can see from this song, love and kindness are not just a feeling, but a conscious decision to act. Let us work to show greater love to not only those dearest to us, but to all people, and by doing so, show greater love for our loving, wonderful God.

God bless you, today and always!

Karen