Jesus said, "Love One Another"

by Karin Paparelli

This year's theme for the March for Jesus is "Love One Another...So Do It!" We know that Jesus gave the command to his followers to love one another. He said that the world would know that we are His disciples by our love for each other. He also said that all the laws of the prophets could be summed up in two commandments; Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and Love your neighbor as yourself. Loving God, no problem, but who is my neighbor? Well Jesus answered that too. He told the parable of the good Samaritan, and said that our neighbor is anyone that we see in need. Remember the story of the good Samaritan? He took care of his enemy. He even paid for his food and lodging and offered to pay for any future expenses also. So how are we doing? If Jesus were to visit with each of us today would He find us about our Father's business? Are we caring for our neighbors? Loving them?

The theme for the March is to Love One Another. That means we need to love each other in the body of Christ. To be compassionate, forgiving, hospitable, selfless toward our brothers and sisters. Most of us are having a hard enough time with that one, never mind reaching outside of our church walls. But that is precisely what God has called us to do. At the March for Jesus we are going to make this a little easier for you. We are asking for everyone planning to attend to bring a can of food to help feed our hungry neighbors. If you want to do even more, you can go door to door in your neighborhood collecting food and bring it all down to the March For Jesus Rally site on May 22. If that is still not enough, why not organize a food drive at your church, workplace or school? This is a really easy way for us all to demonstrate our love for our neighbors. Contact Pastor Gil Lake at Word of Life in Holbrook at (516)471-6806 for more information on how you can be involved.

But this is just the beginning of what is being called a Summer Of Service. The objective is to continue to demonstrate God's love in tangible ways all summer long. Come on, admit it, this is just what you have been waiting for, you really had no idea how to keep busy all summer long, right? We can each show our love for God and others by serving our communities. Free car washes, handing out cold sodas to hot spectators after a game( free of charge), how about yard clean ups? The ideas are limitless and we'd love to help you get you going just give us a call or send us an email. This is also a great youth group summer project, too!

Perhaps you have been feeling God tugging at your heart to do something more. You want to make a difference, not just in the here and now but for eternity. Is that you? I have good news for you too. There is a need right now for volunteers to be buddies to patients with AIDS. These patients have specifically asked for a buddy, a friend, to spend time together doing things a friend would do. Right now the largest percentage of people afflicted with HIV & AIDS are teens. That's right I said teens, 14-19 year olds. They are often alone and very much afraid. This is an open mission field right here on Long Island. Do you have the courage to reach out, to move outside of your comfort zone? AIDS has been called a modern day leprosy. Will you touch a leper? Jesus did. Right now on Long Island there is an agency reaching out to the AIDS community, it is not run by any church or ministry, yet they are doing what Jesus told us to do. After speaking with the director of LIAAC, I was told that they are in desperate need of volunteers, especially for their buddy program. When I told her that it would be a church group she said they could come to us to do the necessary training. Not only are we, the church, welcome, but they are willing to go out of their way to accommodate us. To get involved or just find out more either contact them directly at (516)385-2451 or contact me.

You know that Christian slogan WWJD (What Would Jesus Do)? Do you really want to live by it? If you do, prepare to be stripped and stretched. But you will also be blessed, because as you are blessing others you will be blessed. Jesus fed the hungry, He loved the little children , He had compassion on the broken hearted, the forgotten ones. He had mercy on the adulteress and released the captives from their torment. He brought hope, healing and most of all He brought love to all He touched. He has challenged us to do the same. He has commanded it. We make everything so complicated. But I like to think of the popular sneaker ad "Just do it". You can help transform a life and in the process you will be transformed as well.

The March for Jesus has traditionally been about bringing the church together to show the world our love for each other. This year let us demonstrate our love for both God and our neighbors . Won't you join us as we "Love One Another" on May 22 in Bay Shore at the Suffolk County March For Jesus.

May you walk in His grace. Thy kingdom Come.

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