I am of such an age as to be influenced by the songs of the 1960's. One such song was written by then parish priest Peter Scholtes, "They'll Know We are Christians by Our Love." Here's some background info. on Peter and his song. This was taken from his obituary in July of 2009.
" Peter wrote the hymn "They'll Know We Are Christians by Our Love" while he was a parish priest at St. Brendan's on the South Side of Chicago in the 1960s. At the time, he was leading a youth choir out of the church basement, and was looking for an appropriate song for a series of ecumenical, interracial events. When he couldn't find such a song, he wrote the now-famous hymn in a single day. His experiences at St. Brendan's, and in the Chicago Civil Rights movement, influenced him for the rest of his life." And, I might add, his song has influenced countless youth of my era, who sang it at camps, on retreats, at youth group meetings, and on mission trips.
Today's devotion is a prayer that we might love all people, as God first loved us. But more than just saying we love others, it is a prayer that we might put our love into action. It is our actions that bear witness to Christ. "They'll know we are Christians by our love." Through our congregation, and many, many other churches and church based organizations, there are countless opportunities to put love into action. In what ways do you share Christ, through loving others?
Thanks for this background info on the song, Pastor! I even used it in the Yup'iq village where we lived. I appreciate Jessica's call to action: we should effectively reach further than our immediate circle of influence.
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