THE human race, the world over, appreciates and sets a high value upon conduct which is really kind and loving. When we see it in others we recognize it with joy; we admire and love it; we feel its beneficence. But, somehow, at such a time there seems liable to come the suggestion that such gentle, loving conduct cannot go on; that it must sooner or later change. Yes, we say, with that assurance which comes from our own personal experience, it is impossible to be kind and loving always. Sooner or later you will be called upon to face the jealousy and hate of your own friends, or at any rate of those you want to love and befriend; your best efforts will be criticized and misunderstood; your weaknesses and failures will be talked about and enlarged upon; you may even be definitely wronged. We find ourselves wondering whether, if such experiences should come our way, our sense of love would be able to stand the test. Should we be able still to stand firm and face it all in the spirit of Jesus, who said, as he hung on the cross, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do"?
Again and again in those three short years of our Master's amazing ministry we find his love being faced with the most heartbreaking and bitter experience, and yet remaining pure and unadulterated love. When Judas Iscariot kissed him on the night of the betrayal, Jesus said to him, "Friend, wherefore art thou come?" When the impetuous Peter, maddened as he was by the injustice and brutal treachery of his Master's enemies, drew his sword and severed the ear of the high priest's servant, Jesus gently rebuked Peter, and instantly healed the ear of the soldier who had come to arrest him.
When we think of incidents such as these, we see more clearly what it means to love with a selfless love, the sole purpose of which is to heal and help others, to make them feel more and more the gentle, healing presence of kindness. Thus, and thus only, can we learn, step by step, to know and understand that unchanging love which enabled Jesus to face his foes in the irreproachable way he did, to raise the dead instantaneously, to heal instantaneously all manner of sickness and sin, and to love without ceasing. We are seeing more clearly the pure light of the gentle presence of divine Love; and is it any wonder that we almost instinctively say, Lord, teach us how to love?
