Contemplating I John 3:16-17

                         Community Dreams

When I plan and work toward special community,
I am careful, lest I miss Christ’s community.
This community is one of agape,
where hearts are open and lives sacrificed,
and love is real.
My own ideals pale beside this beloved community,
and brothers live beside me here.
It is real: Brothers and Sisters I lift up.
These are real hurts that we would tend.
They are real tears we would wash away.
They are deep wounds we would wrap.
We offer real hugs and listen to real cries.
Our vision is false without these real people,
and we see clearly when we
see the real people–
brothers and sisters to love.

(c) Tom Bolton, on the water, 17 March 2014

1 John 3:16-17                New International Version (NIV)

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.  If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?