“Your love must migrate; cast off your moorings from creatures, moor yourself to the creator. Change your love, change your fear; the only things that make good or bad lives are good or bad loves.” (St.. Augustine, sermon # 313A)

The only direct preparation given to Peter in order for him to become on apostle and a leader of apostles is the direction from the mouth of Jesus: “Feed my sheep” (John 21:15), and it followed the question , “Do you love me?” asked three times. This was the only criteria that Jesus required of Peter in order for Peter to become the the apostle that he was. It is still the criteria Jesus extends to us to enter into conscious relationship with him: “Do you love me?”

Loving God is the single greatest commandment, but we seldom know what that’s really like. We love many people, places, and things in our world We cling to memories and even vain hopes, but Jesus said only, “Do you love me?”

To St. Augustine it’s clear that loving God requires a real exchange between other attachments and an invisible love. It represents a vast shift in our self-perception and in our perception of the world; and we can’t achieve in alone. It is Jesus who led Peter away and asks the question. It’s his Holy Spirit who opens our ears and eyes to God’s claim on us.

“We love because He first loved us .” (1 John 4:19) When God tells the Israelites through Moses to love Him with all their heart, mind, soul and strength, He is describing His own love for them. When Jesus quotes Moses’ commandment (Mark 12:28), he is asserting the very love that he and the Father have for their people. He desires us to share His life, a life of unfathomable love. Augustine knew this when he wrote that our love must migrate to make room for the powerful, creative love of our God.

When we walk into a room, sit down , turn on a light near our chair, and reach for the Bible, there is no one in heaven who wonders why we are there. Rather, there is joy and anticipation that we have desired to draw near to Him. Our hearts just might have begun to migrate, or maybe they are well on their way. In either case, the Holy Spirit rejoices to see us there, as He does when we seek out private time in order to pray. He is always listening, always answering.

Love in Him,

Prue