Mutual Love in God's Economy

As I was choosing the lectionary reading that drew me this week, these words captured my heart:  Let mutual love continue.  Ahhh LOVE, yes.  Yet it was really the word mutual that made my heart sing!  In God's economy of life, love rules relationships.  God’s economy is the divine desire to dispense the Spirit into the people of God as their everything in order to gain a communal expression of God in God-Self.   In God's economy it is not just love but mutual love.  Relationships ... are a 2-way street but how often do we find ourselves either loving more than the other OR being loved more than we are able to give.  So our relationships with others are often out of balance.  I think this is fine over the course of time if they are more like a "see-saw."  Sometimes I give more and sometimes you give more, that would seem to be a way of mutuality.  I John 4:7a says this, "Dear friends, let’s love each other, because love is from God."  I feel like no matter who it is that does the loving, the love IS from God. 

Let mutual love continue.  When summing up all of the teaching of the law and prophets, Jesus says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as you love yourself." (GWT)   In the Gospels, Jesus gives us the story of the Good Samaritan to tell us who our neighbor is and how we should treat that neighbor on the way to giving us an image of what "love" is.  The writer of Hebrews gives us Chapter 13 and highlights the concept of hospitality, service, and sacrifice in the ancient world.  

Rublev's Icon of the Holy Trinity (in the public domain) also known as The Hospitality of Abraham

Holy, holy, holy, Lord of Sabaoth. Heaven and earth are full of your glory!

As you read and pray and listen, celebrate God’s Presence through the Word.   Breathe and settle into a place of openness within yourself with a simple Breath Prayer.  Use this one or create your own (six to eight syllables but I’ve used 10 and that is ok)

          Breathe in ... God of Love (pause)

               Breath out ... fill my heart (pause)

and when you are ready to move deeper into the text ... Pray:

God of Love, Glorious One ... fill my heart with your Shining Presence and make your home within me.  Empower me to reach out to all people with a hospitable spirit and the love you shower upon me.  Amen.

Read this lovely passage slowly and immerse yourself in the vivid images of love as you engage in Lectio Divina, or Praying with Scripture.  Allow yourself to be drawn deeply as you read and pray and listen to God sing in your soul.

Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 NRSV

Let mutual love continue.  Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.  Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured.  Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers.  Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you."  So we can say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?"  Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.  Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.  Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Read the passage again and Reflect on just a word or phrase … or the image that draws your attention. 

*If you want to try "Visio" Divina, which means divine "seeing," sit with the Icon of the Holy Trinity (see above image :) Remember that "Lectio" Divina is divine "reading."  In Visio Divina we make the same basic movements but while "gazing" upon a sacred image.  You might be surprised how much art speaks to the depths of your soul. 

Sit with your selection (phrase or image) and listen to the whispers of God... Listen!  Turn your word or phrase or image over and over in your mind.  Let God speak into your heart.

Where is God speaking a word of wholeness into your life through your selection?

What do you hear God speaking into the depths  of your soul?

Read the passage again slowly and Respond to God.   Turn your attention to your word or phrase or image.  Know that it is ok if you are being drawn in a different direction on this reading!

As you contemplate your word or phrase or image, how are you being called to offer hospitality ... for others, for yourself, for God?  

How are you being called to an extravagant and mutual love for God, for yourself, and for others in the world ... in word, prayer, action or perhaps in some other truly radical and hospitable way? 

Read the passage again and Rest.  Allow God to draw you deeper into the abundance of love that God has for you and for all people.  Let the words fade away ...when you are ready to move on

Pray:  God of Love, Glorious One!  I am beginning to see you differently.  I understand the mutuality you speak of in this passage.  Help me live up to this calling that stretches me.   Amen.