Inspired by “Everything to Do with Love” by Jan Garrett, JD Martin, Harold Payne and Freebo:
God is one and God is Love. “I had a dream, a vision, woke up singing in the middle of the night, that the world had finally got it right. It’s got nothing to do with history, or which side has lost or won. It’s got everything, everything to do with love.”
Love is our trademark. We’re all about love. “When you hear a voice, calling, somewhere inside you, saying we’re not alone; and the music fills your heart with hope. It’s got nothing to do boundaries, or thinking that you gotta be tough. It’s got everything, everything to do with love.”
We choose love, no matter what others do. “With our differences behind us, the world looks new. Something as simple as kindness can see us through. Well it takes as long as it takes, and we know it. When the moment is right, I’ll hear somebody singing in the morning light: it’s got everything to do with love.”
Jesus teaches love. God is love. Love is our trademark. We choose love. “I had a dream, a vision, woke up singing in the middle of the night, ’cause the world had finally got it right. There’s so much hope to hold onto, and so many songs to be sung. It’s got everything, everything to do with love.”
Responsive Reading for Sunday, February 16
“One of the scribes” heard Jesus teaching about love. “The scribe said to him, ‘Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, ‘He is One and there is no other than he.’ And ‘to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.’ And when Jesus saw that [he] answered with understanding, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ And no one dared to ask him any more questions” (Mk. 12:28-34).
God is one and God is Love. “I had a dream, a vision, woke up singing in the middle of the night, that the world had finally got it right. It’s got nothing to do with history, or which side has lost or won. It’s got everything, everything to do with love.”
Jesus said: “I will give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn. 13:34-5).
Love is our trademark. We’re all about love. “When you hear a voice, calling, somewhere inside you, saying we’re not alone; and the music fills your heart with hope. It’s got nothing to do boundaries, or thinking that you gotta be tough. It’s got everything, everything to do with love.”
One man asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan. (At the time, many of Jesus’ listeners thought the Samaritan people were foreigners, strangers, outsiders.) “Jesus replied, A man fell victim to robbers … [who] beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.” Then Jesus told how a priest and a Levite (important religious leaders) “happened to be going down that road,” and how both “passed by on the opposite side.” Jesus told how “a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion. He…. brought him to an inn and took care of him.” Then Jesus asked, “Which of these three do you think was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?’ He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise’” (Lk. 10: 25-37).
We choose love, no matter what others do. “With our differences behind us, the world looks new. Something as simple as kindness can see us through. Well it takes as long as it takes, and we know it. When the moment is right, I’ll hear somebody singing in the morning light: it’s got everything to do with love.”
Jesus said: “Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me, you can do nothing . . . . If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father loves me; so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandment and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this . . . . You are my friends if you do what I command you . . . . This I command you: love one another (Jn. 15:9-18).
Jesus teaches love. God is love. Love is our trademark. We choose love. I had a dream, a vision, woke up singing in the middle of the night, ’cause the world had finally got it right. There’s so much hope to hold onto, and so many songs to be sung. It’s got everything, everything to do with love.