The True Nature of Love

"Love binds all people of every age and every culture"

Since the 18th century the Church of the Holy Sepulcher has been managed jointly by a complex system of “zones” governed by six different Christian denominations, Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, and Ethiopian Orthodox.

In this most holiest of places, the air is taught with tension as the six denominations seem to bicker and argue over the most trivial of matters,

In 2002 an Egyptian monk was “guarding an area controlled by the Coptics. In the heat of the summer he moved his chair to a spot in the shade. Unfortunately this spot was in the territory of the Ethiopians. A fight broke out that resulted in broken bones and eleven monks being sent to the hospital.

In 2004 during a procession to honor the finding of the True Cross, a Greek priest was offended by the fact that a Roman Catholic chapel was left open. This led to a fight that resulted in spilled blood and several arrests.

On Palm Sunday, 2008, a riot broke out when some Armenian priests tried to eject a Greek priest whom they felt was trying to crash their procession. The ensuing brawl consumed priests and worshippers beating each other with palm fronds. Israeli police had to step in to quell the riot.

That event led to another. On the Feast of the Cross, Greek priests tried to block an Armenian procession which they perceived as a threat to their guardianship of the tomb of Christ. The fight that followed resulted in injuries, arrests, and damage to the church.

In today’s readings we are given a glimpse of what might have been. The tension between Judaism and Christianity did not need to happen. Jesus is questioned by a scribe and the answer he gives is completely acceptable to the Pharisee. They agree on the greatest commandment and they agree that love of neighbor is inextricably connected to our love for God. Jesus acknowledges that the scribe is “not far from the Kingdom of God,” and the scribe asserts that this two-fold commandment is “worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” In doing so the Pharisee is simply recalling something already present in Jewish tradition. The Book of the Prophet Hosea tells us that God prefers our love and loyalty to burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:6)

Sometimes we focus too much on the things that keep us apart, even among our own Christian brothers and sisters, and not enough on the things that bring us together. Love binds all people of every age and every culture. By His sacrifice on the cross, Jesus shows us the true nature of love as well as the true nature of worship.

Our love for God is the surest way we have to finding true happiness and rich, fulfilling, lives. Because the two are so closely bound together we can grow stronger in our love for God by exercising our love for our neighbor. Through works of mercy, meeting both the physical and spiritual needs of our brothers and sisters, we exercise the love that God himself has planted in our hearts.

Pax Vobiscum
31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

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© Lawrence Klimecki

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Deacon Lawrence draws on ancient Christian tradition to create new contemporary art that seeks to connect the physical and the spiritual.. For more information on original art, prints and commissions, Please visit www.DeaconLawrence.org 

Lawrence Klimecki, MSA, is a deacon in the Diocese of Sacramento. He is a public speaker, writer, and artist, reflecting on the intersection of art and faith