Revolutionary Love

Date added: 29/05/2020

REVOLUTIONARY LOVE

Luke 6:20-36

 

Turning the world upside down,

is the charge against Silas and Paul:

Turning its values the right way up,

is the kingdom’s promise and call.

 

Invitations to a glorious feast

mean more to the hungry and poor,

and to others who have the least,

than to the rich, well known and well fed,

who prefer their own company instead.

 

Cathedral sermons attack terrorism,

but are preached under

fading regimental flags of

former colonial glory.

 

This kingdom sermon counters violence with love,

and is preached under

the regimental rule of

Imperial Rome.

 

Revenge surrenders to evil,

by reflecting violence:

But, like a bad coin kept,

and not passed on;

like lightning conducted

safely to earth,

Love neutralises evil,

by absorbing violence.

 

Love for those who like you is

                ordinary;

Love for those who are like you,

                narcissistic;

Love for those who are unlike you,

                extraordinary;

Love for those who dislike you,

                revolutionary.

 

Pray for the rival who threatens you;

Pray for the adversary blocking you;

Pray for the opponent who slanders you;

Pray for the antagonist provoking you.

 

You only love the Father

as much as you love

your worst enemy.

 

For your love is to be

merciful and free,

indiscriminate, spontaneous,

uncalculatingly generous;

When all is said and done -

like Father, like Son.