We are almost at the end of our look at Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. The eighth verse begins by saying there is a time to love, and a time to hate. It seems a harsh comment. After all we are supposed to love your neighbor as yourself.” According to the Pulpit Commentary, Aristotle said something similar when he quoted a maxim of Bias (Rhet. 2:13): “we should love as if about some day to hate and hate as if about to love.” One could ponder if he was influenced by the writer of Ecclesiastes.
Jesus mentions this Ecclesiastes verse during the Sermon on the Mount. He says, ‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48) Jesus changes the focus. It's no longer OK to hate an enemy (be they Roman or Samaritan; or of another religion or political party; or someone who has a different viewpoint). Rather, Jesus says we are to love and pray for everyone, even (esp.?) those who we feel persecute us by actions or words or beliefs.
That's hard. It's no wonder Jesus got into trouble with the leaders of his time. In fact, he was calling his first century hearers, and us, to remember that the Book of Leviticus, centuries earlier, admonishes You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbor, or you will incur guilt yourself. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. (Leviticus 19:17-18)
Now that the election is over, the contrast of loving and hating may take on an important meaning. We dare not hate those who have differing viewpoints. There is much to heal in the nation, and in the world. Division-whether political or racial or cultural or gender is not a reason to hate.
Division calls for listening and hearing and learning someone else’s thoughts and feelings. If we can really listen and hear one another, we may just discover that we want the same things. We want to be loved and understood and to feel secure. We want to know that we are valued for who we are. We want to know the love of God, which passes knowledge and be filled with the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:19)
We want what Stevie Wonder sings about—“a time to love”*.
Wonder says we are able to find time for racism and criticism, debating and
judging, conquest and hatred. But, Wonder asks, “when will there be a time to
love”? The song notes, We have a choice to make/Father God is watching/While
we cause mother earth so much pain…Now's the time to pay attention/Yes now
is the time to love.
It’s been noted many times that this pandemic of COVID19 has made us see that we are all interconnected. Yet, that does not stop us from putting up walls and pointing angry fingers. Let’s start finding ways to heal the divisions. It’s what we are called to do as followers of the One God who is LOVE. We don't have to wait for political leaders to start the process. Before the election many churches held vigils for peace and reconciliation--we must continue that work in our own spheres of influence. This image from the Society of St. John Evangelist (SSJE) might give us some simple guidance as we move forward.
What could possibly be more important than finding common
ground and reconciliation in all relationships and facets of our lives?
Is there something I can do today to start a bridge to bring peace or reconciliation--to show God's love?
*A Time to Love/Stevie Wonder (2005)
We have time for racism
We have time for criticism
Held bondage by our ism's
When will there be a time to love
We make time to debate religion
Passing bills and building prisons
For building fortunes and passing judgments
When will there be a time to love
At this point in history
We have a choice to make
To either walk a path of love
Or be crippled by our hate
We have time to cause pollution
We have time to cause confusion
All wrapped up in our own illusions
When will there be a time to love
We have time to conquer nations
Time for oil exploration
Hatred, violence and terrorism
When will there be a time to love
At this moment in time
We have a choice to make
Father God is watching
While we cause mother earth so much pain
It's such a shame
Not enough money for
The young, the old and the poor
But for war there is always more
When will there be a time to loveme for paying taxes
Or paying bills and buying status
But we will pay the consequences
If we don't make the time to love
Now's the time to pay attention
Yes now is the time to love, love
A time love, love
A time to love
Please won't you tell me
When will there be a time to love
Please won't you tell me
When will there be a time to love…
