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In 2014, I am facilitating a 12-week interactive online course in contemplative prayer and action for priests with Saint Luke Institute. Please visit SLIconnect.org to learn more: https://www.sliconnect.org/product/living-god-program-contemplative-life-2/
In 2014, I am facilitating a 12-week interactive online course in contemplative prayer and action for priests with Saint Luke Institute. Please visit SLIconnect.org to learn more: https://www.sliconnect.org/product/living-god-program-contemplative-life-2/
Commissioning Service
St. Luke’s Institute
August 6, 2014
LOVE THAT IS
COMMANDED +++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
The first reading that Tom chose for his
commissioning gives us the original passage cited by Jesus in the NT when
explaining which is the greatest commandment…
Ø
“You shall
love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and will all your soul, and with
all your strength”
Ø
Today we think of love so often with a romantic
connotation and always stress how love cannot be commanded…
Ø
That it arises almost inexplicably
Ø
For example,
“You shall love Harry or Greta” spoken to a son or daughter would strike us
as very authoritarian…
Ø
Or perhaps the beginning of an arranged
marriage
LOVE THAT IS DUE +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
But love in this passage from Deuteronomy means
something more like loyalty and the consequent obedience which should follow
that loyalty
Ø
We’re talking about the love between parent and
child, not the love between a man and woman who are dating
Ø
The love meant here can be commanded because it should
be an obvious conclusion from the fact:
o
That God has rescued us as he did the Israelites
from bondage and slavery
o
That God has brought them and us into the
blessings of land and nation
Ø
And so in return God asks for
o
Loyalty to him
o
Avoidance of any allegiance to the gods of the
flesh or the marketplace
o
Obedience to his word
LOVE AT SLI
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
After 6 months of therapy we realize that we
serve God primarily by how we live and act…
Ø
Rather than by how we feel
Ø
Love, as we come to understand it at SLI doesn’t
carry with it any suggestion that our hearts must palpitate upon hearing God’s
name
Ø
Rather, we have worked with God’s help and the
support of each other to live in accord with God’s plan for us as full sons and
daughters and heirs of the Kingdom
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
