Today, I found myself reflecting on two particular scriptures: John 13:34-35 and Matthew 22:36-40, which I’ve included below for reference.
John 13:34-35 reads: “I give you a new commandment: 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.”
Matthew 22:36-40 states: “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
These passages do not suggest that our love for others should be conditional, dependent on agreement or approval of one’s lifestyle or choices. They call us to love others simply and purely. Often, we impose conditions on our love, but the love Christ demonstrated is unconditional, and we are called to emulate that kind of love.