Daily Reading: 7 November

(from www.christianaid.org.uk)

Put love into action

Something to read

When he had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, “Where I am going, you cannot come.” I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

- John 13: 31-35.

Something to think about

In our passage for today are the famous verses ‘I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. […] By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’ This is the gospel summed up in two verses. "Love one another" seems to be a simple request, but if you think about it for a moment, it doesn’t seem quite so easy. You are asked to love everyone. You don’t have to agree with them, believe what they do, or like how they behave – but you simply have to love them. It is out of love that Christian Aid works in the way it does, seeking to come alongside people who are in crisis and provide what is needed.

Something to do

Love in action is about putting practical solutions in place.

What can you do to put love into action today?

• Seek to mend a broken relationship by picking up the phone.
• Take part in one of Christian Aid’s campaigns to bring justice.

Something to pray

Creator God, thank you for your love that can move mountains. We thank you for love that can mend our hearts and bring justice to those in need. We think of displaced people, asking for love in action to bring shelter and supplies to people in need. We thank you for the work of Christian Aid.

Jesus, we thank you for your love that has brought us new life. Help us to follow you and love everyone around us, no matter who they are.

Divine Spirit, we ask for your strength to take your love into the world and make a difference in the lives of others. We ask all these things in the name of the One who is life itself.

Amen.

Today’s contributor is Lewis Reay, a member of Metropolitan Community Church and a member of Augustine United Church, Edinburgh. He is a writer and artist living with his husband in Edinburgh.