love well.

I'm tired. In fact, tonight was supposed to be my, 'go to bed early,' night...until I read this. And well, so much for going to bed early.

In a recent homily, Pope Francis shared his sentiments that, "Atheists should be seen as good people if they do good." And well, his bold statement has stirred some people, with good reason. Some Athiests and other like-minded individuals seem to appreciate his statement and his gentle outreach. But the ones, in my humble opinion, who really need to take the Pope's message to heart are the believers, those faith-filled, Christian, religious people of the world.

Too often, people of faith, like to reside in bubbles. We like to hang out with people who believe the same things we do. We are guilty of creating bubbles, bubbles that have the capacity to form walls that keep like-minded individuals in, while locking everyone else out. We place great importance on the acts of people who share our beliefs, but sometimes, we discount everyone else, those who may not share our beliefs, and all they think, say, or do. What a sad shame.

Because if we are really living what we as Christians claim to believe, that our good and gracious Lord came for us all, then we have to trust that He works through us all, every single one of us, those who believe in Him and even those who don't.

At the heart of Christianity is love....love! Not love because it feels good, love. Not love because you totally get me, love. Not love because you believe the same stuff I do, love. But love for the sake of love. Love for the good of another. Love for your benefit over mine. Love for the sake of the person, every single person.

Break those bubbles people, pop them, throw toothpicks at them, I really don't care how you do it. But figure out a way and do it. That doesn't mean you can't share company with those who encourage your beliefs, but spread that love that's at the heart of it all with everyone, including those who may not feel the same way about God. Because if your thoughts about God are inline with who He is, and that's a God of love, and mercy, and goodness...then branch out and start loving better, not just loving those in our bubbles, but everyone outside of them, because...well, God loves well, and if we're trying to follow Him, it's kind of our job to attempt the same and love well, too. 

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*pic from darkroom.baltimoresun.com