I’ve managed to write a Chapters post each of the last two weeks. As I try to re-establish my full routine, the next step is to re-establish my weekly post on the Transformation Wheel thread.
I had been discussing Gazing when I left off, and I will get back to that momentarily, but as I reviewed the past posts on the thread I realized something I had written for another project would fit nicely into the earlier discussion on love.
I am simply adding that here, even though it might read a little funny out of context:
The term “radical love” is, I think, open to a wide range of interpretation. Each of us, after spending some time in meaningful prayer, could come up with our own definition, and many if not all of those definitions would be viable.
Such is the vastness of God.
I think I would be remiss if I did not venture my own definition at this stage in an effort to further define the vision this document means to cast.
“Radical love” for me entails a conscious decision to offer everything I have in a spirit of uncompromising love to my fellow man without regard to my fellow’s worthiness or his response. It requires that I give freely, without reservation or concern, while at the same time expecting nothing in return.
I offer everything out of the realization that God loves every other man and woman on this earth just as much as He loves me. The assertion that we are created equal is based in this belief.
My responsibility boils down to a duty to emulate God’s love to the best of my ability. I must, if I do nothing else in the time I spend here, make the attempt to love every other man and woman on this earth as much as God loves me. Jesus, in John 13:34, specifically gives us this instruction.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
It seems so simple. Yet it also seems so absent.
Again, I say this:
The willing acceptance of the Cross by Jesus is, without question, the greatest example of “radical love” the world has ever experienced. There’s nothing else that comes close.
He accepted the Cross in order to ensure our salvation.
He did it without reference to worthiness, for we are sinners, utterly unworthy of His sacrifice. Not only did He not reference our response, but He knew that our response would be mired in sin and thus inadequate. He ignored that certainty and loved us anyway. He expected nothing in return, for in our sinfulness, we have nothing to offer that He needs.
He gave freely, without reservation or concern.
This is also what I wish to do. I wish to give freely, without regard to worthiness, or response, or expectation of return, in as close an emulation of the “radical love” of the Cross as I can muster.
And I hope and ask that you will join me and do the same, for my impact, by itself, can’t amount to much.
But the impact of many, joined in a community dedicated to this idea of “radical love,” could be immeasurable.
What you’re asking of yourself and your brothers and sisters is nothing less than what Francis and Clare exemplified by thier lives: the total and radical living of the Gospel command to “love one another” and “to give one’s life for one’s brethren”. I will surely prayerfully support whatever the Spirit challenges you to do — and will be willing, as the time permits, to wield a paintbrush or a hammer and some nails.
Radical Love is the way on which we walk to God, the way is Jesus himself. Our response to God’s gratuitous love can only be radical.
I will join you in dreaming, brain-storming, projecting, nailing, painting, carrying cement, organizing, communicating, connecting and whatever comes along.
Where do you want to start?