While listening to Tavis Smiley's new show on PBS, I heard one his guest state repeatedly that "We" meaning black folk "must have race love". He used the word "love" numerous times, so much that I began to wonder if "love" is a code word meaning diffrent things to different folk. My question: "What Is Love". Now I know what St. Paul said; what do you say?

Be Blessed Passtor Paris

-- Anonymous, July 25, 2002

Answers

Dear Rev. Paris,

I wish that I could see a re-run of that show by Tavis Smiley on " race love". I have believed for a long time that our problems as a race are due more to the fact that too many of us don't respect one another. This lack of respect is due to the fact that we don't love ourselves enough and we hate ourselves too much.

It is this " love deficit" in our race which is primarily responsible for many of our social problems. How can you expect other races to respect you if you don't respect yourself. I believe that in spite of the ills of racism that if our people had more corporate love for ourselves that the effects of racism would be mitigated.

I work every day with individuals who are existing at the lowest rung of society. I pray about my work and ask God for inspiration to help people to help themselves. However, I see that in our community, many times our leaders readily point the finger at someone else for the problems that we have. At some point, I as a christian black man must say that I realize what my reality is and I am going to lift myself and others like myself up by looking up to Jesus Christ. We say all the time in church that " He will make a way out of no way" or " God is able". The christian knows that to follow God means stepping out on faith and doing things that are impossible with God.

As we come to love ourselves as a race, we need to realize that love encompasses a broad spectrum . It can be a warm "fuzzy" feeling or saying a kind word to a person or it can be allowing a person to suffer for the purpose of teaching them valuable lessons. Love is more than a feeling, God is love (I John 4:8). Love is unconditional, nonspecific, unchanging, and devoted to your well being just like God no matter how " ugly " you behave.

Jazzman

-- Anonymous, July 25, 2002

Jazzman, You are so right. In working for many years in the inner city schools, I came to realize a profound truth from the "Great Commandment." Thus, through my own actions and example, I sought to teach it to those entrusted to my care This included how I looked, spoke, behaved and reacted to situations which I had to encounter. I also insisted that my students do he same.

Jesus in fact said that we were to live God with all our heart, soul and mind, and that we were to love our neighbor AS OURSELVES. I sincerely believe that "as Ourselves" is a key phrase and that we cannot truly love God or our neighbor until we firs t learn to love ourselves. Once we have learned to love ourselves we are then able to appropriate that love and respect to both God and to all humankind.

Rev. Paris, As I said in a string many months back, to me love means not recreating ourselves or others in our own image, but rather seeing the image which God has already created and saying, AMEN! When I can do this I then have no need to tear down my own race nor any other. For God has created all things Well.

-- Anonymous, July 25, 2002

You are definitely on it,, Rev. Paris and Bro. Jazzman. This is something that has plaqued our race for years, but why?? Is it because of our disconnection to the mother land? Is it because of a need to be recognized in our own country, thus assimilating to make it so?? So many variables, but the basic truth is that in order to love others, we must love ourselves....we must love God. I also think that we need to understand the difference between love and like. We can and are commanded to love others with the love of Christ, though we may not sometimes like the actions of others. It is a matter of keeping things in perspective. And to Bro. Matthews...it is so good to find someone that understands to dire need to show God's love in the schools. I have had the awesome chance to minister to my students and it has always been wonderful. Though I recognize separation of church and state and things that we aren't supposed to do in the schools, it is hard to separate your spirit, the Holy Spirit ,from your workplace. God has always provided that protective hedge when spiritual questions arise from my charges and for that I am thankful.

Students can tell when you are being genuine in your dealings...actions. I pray that God continues to use me with my students, always being encouraging to them, and discipling them in His way for their good.

Peace

-- Anonymous, July 31, 2002

What is Love?

"Love, a word that comes and goes but few people really know what it means to really love somebody. Love, though the tears may fade away I'm so glad your love will stay...Cause you showed me Jesus what it means to love....For the nights that I cried you loved me, when I should have died, you love me "I'll never know why you love me, it's mystery to me..." God's Property feat. Kirk Frianklin

-- Anonymous, August 14, 2002

LOVE IS WHAT GOD DID FOR US ALL,BY GIVING HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON. THAT'S THE WAY IT IS AND THATS THE WAY IT WILL STAY. TRUE LOVE COMES FROM ABOVE, IF WE LOVE EACH OTHER THE WAY CHRIST LOVED US, THEN AND ONLY THEN WILL WE KNOW WHAT LOVE IS.GREATER LOVE HAVE NO MAN THAN HE LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS BROTHER.NOW THAT'S LOVE.

-- Anonymous, August 16, 2002