Commandments of Love

Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14

On Sunday morning the Metro North train carrying loved ones, families, children, travelers coming home from celebrating thanksgiving, derailed in the Bronx, near the Hudson River. Four were immediately killed and countless others suffered serious injuries. It’s moments like this that reminds us that life is fragile and easily lost. Loved ones cherished can easily be gone without any warning.

Sad testimonies are often reported. “I didn’t tell him goodbye”, “I was too busy to say I love you,” “We argued that morning and I refused to speak to her.” When you love someone it’s important to show that love and not tuck it away for use whenever it’s convenient.

Jesus taught that love should be at the heart of everything we do and say. He said the entire law can be summed up in two commandments.

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40

The commandments were always meant to govern our actions and words, so that we can be better. Jesus simplifies it and says you have to let love guide your actions and words. Too often anger, jealousy, pride and selfishness and insecurities play a greater role in how we live our life, leaving us with terrible regrets.

Love should be expressed in how we interact with the world and society. It is a reason for volunteering, giving to charities and helping whoever might be in need. It should dictate how we respond to people from our most casual conversation to our most formal and professional communication. Courtesy, politeness and just a cheery disposition might just be what the doctor ordered for someone in need at the office on Monday morning.

The love commandments are most certainly for those closest to us. Unfortunately they are often the ones who suffer our wrath the most. We can come home filled with frustration, anger disappointment and depression. We unleash it on our spouses, children and other loved ones. Fights ensue and what should be happy memories of getting home turns into a home front nightmare. We certainly don’t want nightmares to be the last memories we have with those closest to us. It is time to put these actions and words to rest and give our love a chance to reign.