Spiritual Perspectives
Love One Another

By Rev. M. Linda Rounds-Nichols
Special to The Independent

Christians try very hard to follow the instructions that Jesus gave us. He told people that there are two commandments: "You are to love the Lord your God with all of your heart, all your soul, and all your mind [and]... "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:37-39)

It may be a bit hard to measure our love for God perhaps it shows in our spiritual practices of participating in worship services, reading the Bible and other spiritual works, and praying.

On the other hand, it may be a bit easier to measure our love for our neighbor. Also in Matthew, we read that at the end of time as we know it, there will be a judgment, and people will be separated, just as sheep and goats were separated in Jesus' time. Jesus told people of the expectations to feed the hungry, help the thirsty, provide clothing for those in need, and to visit the sick and those in prison. (Matthew 25:31-40) When we do such things, we are showing love to our neighbor.

Ah, you might respond, "How can I do these things?" In fact, you may add, "I don't even know where to find people with these and other needs. What can I do?"

The answer is plenty! What interests you? Health care? The RMCHCS Auxiliary is always in need of volunteers. Within the Auxiliary, there are many different ways to serve from answering questions, working at the gift shop, sorting merchandise and selling at the thrift shop, just to name a few possibilities.

Education? Schools can use people to come in to read to the students, help with different activities, and do various tasks for the teachers.

Working with the homeless? Care 66 and Casa San Martin are two places that could use extra hands.

Love the children or the elderly? Consider volunteering at a preschool, with the Boy or Girl Scouts, or at one of the care centers in town.

If you participate with a particular church or other worship center, there may be specific activities there that address the needs of the hungry, thirsty, those needing clothing, the sick and those who are incarcerated.

Actually, if you'd like to do something for the incarcerated very soon, there will be a Kairos (a retreat) at the women's prison in a couple of weeks, and cookies are needed! Sometimes we help by baking cookies! (Call me and I'll tell you more.)

If you want to help, but still need ideas, then perhaps you'd like to visit about the needs in Gallup and the surrounding area with others. On March 6th, at 6:00 p.m., a group will be meeting for a potluck dinner at Care 66. This group is sometimes referred to as the Ecumenical Inter-faith Alliance, and sometimes referred to as the Sacred/Social Action Dialog Network. This group includes a number of people with a wide-range of interests and concerns poverty, homelessness, the death penalty, pay day loans and the consequences, the hope for inter-faith conversations and understandings and so on.

Perhaps no one can completely and absolutely follow the commandments of Jesus and those of the leaders of other religions. However, when we come together, talk, try to understand, and work with each other, we can accomplish much!

If this type of group doesn't interest you, there are other opportunities. My apologies for those I haven't mentioned, as those herein are only a sample. The need is great and there are ways for people with all sorts of interests to help. Whether it be baking cookies, joining the auxiliary, calling your neighborhood school or another agency, or coming to this meeting, or finding another means of showing your love, it is good. And for the Christian, we remember that Jesus said that when we help someone in need, we are helping Him. (Matthew 25:40). Perhaps through our love and service to others, we can measure not only our love for our neighbor, but also our love for God.

Rev. M. Linda Rounds-Nichols is responsible for Agape Ministries, an ecumenical service ministry mission of the catholic apostolic Church of Antioch. The Church of Antioch is within the independent catholic denomination. It is a sacramental church that offers a traditional style of worship and that encourages people to find spiritual truth. Agape Ministries: (505) 863-6176. Church of Antioch: www.churchofantioch.org Mother Linda provides pastoral care and spiritual direction, with a focus on recovery and life-change issues.

This column is the result of a desire by community members, representing different faith communities, wishing to share their ideas about bringing a spiritual perspective into our daily lives and community issues.

For information about contributing a guest column, contact Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola at the Independent: (505) 863-8611, ext. 218 or lizreligion01@yahoo.com.