Greater love

John 15:13

   No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends

   Quite sadly, this passage came to life just this week as a teacher in Florida acted as a human shield to protect students and gave the ultimate gift, his own life. That is love in action. Are we all called to such acts of bravery? Such incidents should be rare and again sadly, it is not so. So many acts of domestic terrorism are fresh in our memories. So much so that they may blurr in our minds. 

     As Lent moves forward how can we lay down our lives for our friends, our families, our fellow citizens and humans of all races? Just as we cannot take strictures like 'thou shall not kill' simply literally (because you can easily kill someone's spirit with words just as easily as a gun) , the converse is also true. How can we 'lay down our life' for our friends without physically dying? I think we are called to at least do this. 

      How do we give life to others then? Remember 'random acts of kindness'? Small loving acts can yield great results. Thoughtfulness, courtesy, inclusion, caring, listening all help heal and promote life. I am certain I have given the cliff notes version and for every person that reads this, there would be yet another way they can think of to promote love and life in their own corner of the world.  We may never know what our actions may yield but I know they will create a better world and at a grass roots level.

        Going full circle, wouldn't it be an act of love and life to take some action towards realistic gun control? A small act on our part ( a small dying to ourself ) may help save a life. Contacting our legislators, openly advocating for sensible regulations.  If Lent is to be fully human as Jesus showed us, then we must respect and protect life, not in simply a 'pro-birth' narrative, but in respecting life in every way and in every form. Birth to death and the entire planet as well.