The sixties of last century was the beginning of the era of 'free love' with the implied notion that love can be had with no strings attached; without cost. Today's text indicates something different. Here free love takes upon itself the poor behavior of its object. Free love flows, but the freedom of it is experienced by the loved one. Free love is about bearing the weight of all that is unloving in the world--in order to bring healing.

Persons who devote their lives to studying Scripture and teaching others about God are in a position to make life better--or worse--for those exposed to their ministry. The religious professionals addressed here by Jesus were worse than useless--they were positively dangerous. They led people to think of God as a threat; someone hard to please and easy to offend. They made the devoted life a wearied and discouraging odyssey. How are people affected by my devotion?

Wealth deceives its possessor into thinking he has no need to obey rules that others must live by; that he is above the law; that he can get away with injustice. Few are able to be rich--and just.

He who pitied the wounded and disabled traveler totally contrasts with others passing on the same road. He drew near to the victim with a view to helping him, while others avoided contact with a view to not helping him. We know instinctively that the Samaritan, a member of a despised group, is a better person than the others. Love speaks its own language. It is intelligible and winsome despite prejudices.

An air of astonished incredulity hangs over this prophetic exclamation. Evil is a mysterious absurdity. For human life to defy its maker is a futile undertaking. Furthermore, evil is extreme ingratitude because it opposes him who is our friend; whose devotion to our welfare is complete and never-ending.

The person who asked this question already knew what he ought to do; he was one of Israel's religious leaders, and therefore an ethical expert. His supplementary question only sought to convolute what was really quite straight forward. A person who lives in the grace of God will not seek to shield himself from its duties by asking: Who is the person I am supposed to love?

It is common for men and women to 'carry out' their fierce anger; to give way to furious revenge. The result: the earth is filled with violence. We are knee deep in blood and misery. Judgment reigns in human affairs. Only in God does mercy triumph over judgment.

You don't have to be a professor of theology to know and enjoy God. Many an expert in biblical studies, many a priest or pastor is a stranger to the beauty of the deity. The privilege of intimacy with the divine is open rather to childlike trust so that no one is ineligible. God is for everyone.

You don't have to be a professor of theology to know and enjoy God. Many an expert in biblical studies, many a priest or pastor is a stranger to the beauty of the deity. The privilege of intimacy with the divine is open rather to childlike trust so that no one is ineligible. God is for everyone.

Long before any of us know or begin to appreciate God, he is compassionate father, our solicitous benefactor, diligent and persevering patron. He is all of these things, and more despite our ignorance of him or even our disregard for him. Like sun, rain and nutrient rich soil, the love of God is the pre-existing biosphere which makes love possible for us. The universe is wired to produce love in human life.