Love one another

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. ~ John 13:34-35

Dear People of St. Peters,

Grace and peace to you on this beautiful, sunny Saturday.

Ever wonder why Jesus had to command his followers to love one another? Love certainly sounds like a lovely idea … in general. Jesus’ commandment to love one another, however, is particular. Love the hungry, the sick, the stranger, the uninvited, the one who is different from you.  If we’re honest with ourselves, loving in particular is challenging. How can we love someone who lives differently than we do? Someone we don’t understand? Someone who may not love us in return? Love can be costly. Yet we are called to love.  

Love requires that we look beyond ourselves and our own interests and seek the interest of others. It requires that we speak up and stand up for the dignity of people we don’t know, especially the least, the lost, and the lonely.

Jesus showed us how to love one another with his actions – he went to the people in the margins of society, clothed the naked, fed the hungry, healed the sick, gave drink to the thirsty, and welcomed the stranger. Jesus built meaningful relationships. That’s what it means to love.

I wonder what it looks like for you to love another person today. Open your heart to God and pray that you may take that step to do so. And if you have a moment to pause, listen to this musical offering of John 13:34-35 by Richard Shephard.

Through a generous gift by the Campbell Foundation, Saint Peter’s has established the Donald H. Campbell Award for Service and Generosity. This award recognizes love in action. I am pleased to name Patti Klein, Executive Director of Rebuilding Together, Arlington/Fairfax/Falls Church, as the inaugural recipient of the award. Read this webpage for more information about the award and Patti Klein. Thank you to all who submitted nominations. All nominations were worthy of recognition. We were able to name just one awardee. Nominations for the 2026 award will be open again next spring.