1 John 4:21
This is the commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.
How often do you use the word, "hate?" I try not to use it but occasionally it slips. Hate is a very strong word, yet I hear it too often from people I know or from my kids. "I hate that athlete"; "I hate that team", "I hate that politician." So on and so on. First of all, you probably don't know them personally. Second, why not replace the word hate with "I disagree with" or "I don't like." Just think if you substituted the word "love" with "hate." Ugh!
In today's reading we hear John talk about love and it's progression from God, to us, to all people. It's difficult to love everybody. Sure, when people ask, "do you love God?," your response is, "Yes of course." Then you must love everyone else. That is difficult especially if someone you have loved has hurt you, someone you trusted has turned on you, someone you have never met has done harm to a family member. How are you to love them? John didn't write "whoever loves God can also love his brother." He used the word "must." We have to love as God loves us, with mercy and forgiveness. This is the commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.
