Loving Others Well

BY SHELBY SMYTH | May 23, 2022
Sunday’s Readings 

The Gospels in the Easter season have always been some of my favorites. We see lots of themes of hope and love. In this week’s Gospel, Jesus says, “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.” Last Sunday, Jesus gave us a new commandment to keep with us—to love one another. When we love each other, we are loving God and His people; therefore, God will dwell with us here. 

How can we push ourselves to love others well, even when it’s uncomfortable?

I consider myself an enneagram type 2, a helper. One of my main love languages is acts of service. During my year with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, I worked with refugee youth at an afterschool program. I was always more of a logistics, background kind of person, so I approached my placement trying to do these intricate lesson plans and schedules, expecting everything to be on time and work according to plan. What I learned very quickly was that it was not going to fly.

Loving Others Well

My lesson plans were not always on the English level of my students, were not relatable whatsoever, or were just not fitting the energy level of the students that day. Some of my best times in program were when we did an impromptu dance party or game of musical chairs when my lesson plans did not work out. Being present in the moment, and admiring the beauty of human connection was the most beautiful love that I was able to be a part of. Sure, I was able to do those other logistical things, but the time we spent playing, laughing, and dancing were the times that I saw love the most, and we did not even have to be speaking the same language to do so. Sometimes the greatest way we can love each other is not by solving problems, but just by being there.

There are times where all we want to do is try to figure out how to solve another person’s problem. But sometimes there is no action you could take at that moment to solve an issue. While there are actions we can take to alleviate some struggling, like when we deliver food and donations to a homeless shelter; the beauty of the interaction lies in being there—seeing others and making conversation, when the rest of the world ignores them. Find a balance there—between checking on someone’s needs and just being there. Human beings desire connection and relationship, so sometimes all we need to do to love each other is to be present and willing to listen. 

2 replies
  1. Eileen Quinn Knight Knight
    Eileen Quinn Knight Knight says:

    What Shelby writes rings so true for me: “the time we spent playing, laughing, and dancing were the times that I saw love the most, and we did not even have to be speaking the same language to do so. Sometimes the greatest way we can love each other is not by solving problems, but just by being there.” As we long to be totally in the presence of God, our presence to each other is equally important. If we are attempting a solution, we distract ourselves from the person in front of us. If we are with the person, they know and feel the importance and stirrings of the heart. We offer our presence to the other so they can do what needs to be done for their call from the Holy Spirit. In being present to the other we offer them the comfort of God but we also offer them the challenge of doing His will today. May our lives be filled with comfort and challenge so that we can promulgate the faith, hope and love of one more person in this world. We ask God,our Father, to fulfill our prayer.

    Reply
  2. Dr.Cajetan Coelho
    Dr.Cajetan Coelho says:

    Thanks Shelby. Reading your nice little reflection, ‘Ephphatha’ makes incredible sense.

    Reply

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