Love in Action
1. It is easy to love people next to you. But what about human rights in many countries? Actions are important.
2. The song says, “It’s not about win or lose”. But many are hurting, for example by floods. What happens in other countries also affects us! All of us have a responsibility to make this a better world.
3. Actions are greater than love. Freedom is when we act in a genuine loving way with our neighbour.
4. Thanks for the gospel (‘What you did for one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me’. We are all human beings. Moved by hunger and justice for all.
5. Atheists say we don’t need religion. Conservatives have twisted faith.
6. “There is nothing good unless we do it”. The message in the gospel is very easy. Walk around with open eyes: Who needs help? Where can we abstain? Easy to understand – but hard to do.
7. The linking of love and freedom is a core message of the gospel. Know the truth and the truth will set you free. In true love you don’t need any law. The churches are bound by too many laws and have gone away from the message of freedom and love.
8. I work for NPO along with those of other religions. We are educating the next generation; to help them claim their rights as citizens. One person shared they have two albums: (1) My family book (2) How I grew in myself. No religion necessary – just values.
9. “God bless you” says the greeting. I don’t believe that God interferes. There is always injustice. God only has your hands, your feet, your ears etc. Do blessings yourself. God will bless others.
10. Love as an action rather than a feeling means we must assume accountability and responsibility. I have been promoting an EU petition to suspend the special EU trade agreement with Israel because of the human rights abuses. one million signatures and support from 7 EU countries required. The EU was founded with human rights at its core. Love is not a fluffy word. Link to EU petition: https://eci.ec.europa.eu/055/public/#/screen/home
11. In his Old Testament theology, Gerhard von Rad affirms that justice is the fundamental category of the Old Testament. Justice toward God, toward humans, and toward other creatures. Confirmation of this is found in the text of the prophet Michaeah: "You have been taught, O man, what is good and what the Lord requires of you: to practice justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." Justice in the Old Testament means starting with the poor. God presents himself as the defender of the orphan, the widow, and the stranger, and asks believers to do the same. In the Gospel of Matthew 25, the final judgment unfolds by revealing Jesus' identification with the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and the imprisoned, both male and female, who have lived throughout history. What is our relationship with these poor people we encounter in life?
12. A special thanks to Rachael who prepared our St Valentine’s Eucharist!