On the path of our spiritual awakening, love is both the journey and the destination. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible reveals the centrality of love as the core of our existence. The Unity teachings emphasize this profound truth, calling us to live in love and recognize that we are here not just to love but also to be loved. This sacred exchange of giving and receiving forms the foundation for a life of spiritual fulfillment.
The Bible is filled with reminders of love as the ultimate expression of our divine nature. In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus provides a clear message about the importance of love: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
First, we are to love God fully, which aligns us with the Divine. Second, we are to love one another as we love ourselves, recognizing the sacredness of each person we encounter. This creates a cycle of love that reflects God's own unconditional love for us.
In Unity, love is understood as the harmonizing power of the universe. Charles Fillmore, co-founder of Unity, writes that love is "the pure essence of Being that binds together the whole human family." It is the energy that connects us to God and to each other, moving us toward wholeness and spiritual unity. To love is to see beyond appearances and recognize the divine spark in everyone, regardless of their actions or circumstances.
Our ability to love then is the true measure of our spiritual growth. It is the way we reflect the Divine in our daily lives, and it is how we open ourselves to the grace of God.
This Sunday is our quarterly brunch luncheon when we spend the whole service enjoying a wonderful brunch prepared by our own certified Chef Kathleen and our only assignment is to enjoy the food and enjoy each other’s company, conversations and presence, practicing our own understanding of love, appreciation and gratitude for our friends, neighbors and fellow travelers in life.
We love you and look forward to swapping stories of love and appreciation. Please join us. Our circle is incomplete without you. You are welcome! (really)!