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The Abbot observed the monks debating about whether the community of Christ is inclusive or exclusive. The Teacher went to the garden and brought back a beautiful rose. He spoke, "Friends, this rose gives the answer to your debate." "How is that so?" asked a monk. "Can this rose give its scent to whomever it chooses? Can this rose offer its beauty to some and not others?" The monks replied, "No." "Then, Love by nature gives Itself to all who are prepared to receive it. Love by nature of Love cannot withhold outpouring Itself for all creatures to enjoy." "But," asked a monk, "cannot one close his nose to the scent of the rose, or shut his eyes to the beauty of the rose?" "Yes," agreed the Abbot, "and, thus, while Love will always give Itself, Love will be received by the varying degrees of capacity of each person, and some will choose to refuse the grace of Love completely."
In human relationships, so in our relationship with Christ Jesus--a person receives the love of another person only to the extent that she can receive the love, no more. To receive more of the love, she must exercise herself in openness to love to increase her capacity of receptivity. She should not complain if she is not receiving more of the love offered to her.
God is Infinite Love. We, created in the Image of God, are formed with the possibility of enjoying the fullness of God, the infiniteness of Love.
18And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. 19May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
20Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. Ephesians 3, NLT
*OneLife writings are offered by Brian K. Wilcox, a United Methodist pastor serving in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. Brian lives a vowed contemplative life with his two dogs, Bandit Ty and St. Francis, in North Florida. OneLife writings are for anyone seeking to live and share love, joy, and peace in the world and in devotion to God as she or he best understands God.
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