I have been reflecting about love. Not romantic love, but the kind of love that expresses itself as compassion, understanding and care for our fellow humans.
At work, as part of our diversity training, we’re taught about the “platinum rule:” do unto others as they would have you do unto them. We’re told this new rule is much better that the “golden rule” of most major religions. This makes my blood boil because I am pretty sure humanity hasn’t discovered a new “great truth” in the past couple of years.
One day I told the instructor that my faith tells me to “love my neighbour as myself” — and wasn’t that the same as her platinum rule? The instructor couldn’t back out of the conversation fast enough. She wanted to talk about people’s differences, about respecting our co-workers, and making the office a safe place where people can “bring their whole self to work.” Not about faith.
My values and my faith are all entwined together. The way I treat people at work, on the street, at the store, is all tied up in my faith and how I cherish and value the life of every human being. Of course I often don’t get it right. I get short-tempered and frustrated like everyone. I struggle with how I am supposed to love people who hate others, people who drive gay teens to suicide, or who hurt children. To be honest, I would prefer not to have those people as neighbours. This is not an easy commandment to live by!
I believe that I am called to love my neighbour, to love all people, as myself. To love radically and unconditionally because I know God loves us all radically and unconditionally.
And so I was heartened – delighted – to see Bishop Gene Robinson’s video telling gay youth about God’s unconditional love on the “It Gets Better” YouTube channel.
Seeker
“You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” Mark 12:31
Seeker of Wisdom 