“Owe nothing to another except to love one another.  For the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.”  Romans 13:8

“Love seeks one thing only, the good of the beloved.  Therefore love is its own reward.”  Thomas Merton

In the U.S. April 15^th is traditionally tax day.  It’s been postponed a month this year.  The taxes paid help to sustain the government.  In the U.S. the spending is outpacing the giving, as the national debt has grown to well over twenty trillion dollars, a number that is so large it is inconceivable.

As large as that debt is, there is an even greater debt in this nation.  It is the debt referred to in Romans; the debt to love. 

As one watches and recoils at the shootings, which have become so common-placed we are almost numb to them; or the riots, be they in the streets of cities or the steps of the capitol; or the venomous and vitriolic speech spewing forth from those we’re supposed to respect.  Hate is on full display, but where is the love?  Truly the nation’s debt is much greater than that which is measured in dollars and cents.  In fact it appears that we’re already bankrupt.

Where does this debt to love reside?  Where does this disdain for others and despising anyone who holds a different opinion from our own come from?  I believe the answer is obvious:  From ourselves.  From our own hearts.  From the inability, or maybe unwillingness, to love ourselves.

If there is any truth of Christ that can be agreed upon, even by those who have different ways of claiming to be His followers, it must be that Christ loved everyone, even and including His enemies.  And the reason He could do so is because He IS love.

The second greatest miracle of Easter is that Christ did not advocate getting even with those who had wronged Him. He did not issue a call to action to His disciples for a religious revolution, form groups to bring about political reform,  tear down the Temple (the Romans would do it of their own accord), or strike out at those who caused them harm, be they in the streets, the Roman Senate, or the synagogue.  Jesus set the example for love as a response to hate and murder, as He Himself did not lash out at those who were lashing Him; He did not cast into hell those who were casting lots for His garments or casting their criticism at Him; He did not ask God to harm those who were hurting Him; He only loved.  And so did His followers.

Love is who Jesus is, and Love is what Jesus taught.  Love God and Love your neighbor as yourself.  “And who is my neighbor?”  Anyone and everyone.  Even and especially if they don’t share your political or religious viewpoint.

There it is.  See it?  The Key to being able to love another, whoever that other may be, is to love ourselves.  I am convinced that what lies at the root of the hate and discontent we witness not only on our windows to the world, is the same self-loathing that we too often witness as we peer through the window of our own hearts. 

The formula is simple:  If we hate ourselves, we will also hate others.  If we love ourselves, we will also love others.

And how can we love ourselves?  Not only by believing, but by embracing fully the love of God in which we are embraced.

What The Father said to Jesus in His baptism are the same words He has spoken to us:  “You are my beloved, in whom I am well pleased.” And these are also the words He has spoken to others.  ALL others.

What is the debt that you owe?  The financial ones, dear friends, ultimately don’t matter.  All that matters is our debt to love.