Making Room for Love

I’ve seen the meme, the one that says, “After receiving my free seven day trial for 2021, I’d like to cancel my subscription.” It’s funny. It also highlights how a changing of numbers doesn’t change us, that work has always been ours to do. Still is.

It seems we are really hung up on being right, which often diminishes our ability to love.

As I reflect on my participation in heated discussions, and downright arguments, my hunger to be right has too often covered over my capacity to love with a thick crust.

There is an ancient story in which the Divine speaks face to face with the people of Israel, and we are told this happens through fire on Mount Sinai. It is here where they receive what we refer to as the Ten Commandments, which the people will trip over time and time again in their pursuit to obey the Divine. In the midst of the Divine speaking to the people, the text tells us that the leader for Israel, Moses, says…

"At that time I stood between the Divine and you…”

This is merely describing how Moses will mediate and offer the words of the Divine, because the people were afraid of the fire. But the legendary rabbi, Menachem Mendl of Kotzk, offers a midrash (commentary) on this verse, “It is your I, that is your ego, which stands between you and God. Normally not even an iron barrier can separate Israel from God, but egotism will drive them apart.”

Rabbi Lawrence Kushner highlights the lesson, “There is only room enough in this world for one ego, yours or God’s. You pick.”

The ongoing stumbling block for the Hebrew people was ego.

Love of God was sacrificed on the altar of ego.

What was true then is true for us, today. Of course.

And there are plenty of people who have zero interest in the whole idea of God, so what is at stake is love of country and a certain version of freedom. I believe the story still stands, the desire to be right is actually diminishing the ability to love.

I’ve had U2’s song “One” on repeat over the last number of days. Bono, who wrote the song, says it is not about love, rather it raises the question on whether we will make room for love. Let’s simply reflect on the opening verse and the bridge to close…

Is it getting better?

Or do you feel the same?

Will it make it easier on you now?

You got someone to blame…

You say love is a temple, love a higher law

Love is a temple, love the higher law

You ask me to enter but then you make me crawl

And I can't be holdin' on to what you got

When all you got is hurt