The subject tonight is Love
And for tomorrow night as well,
As a matter of fact
I know of no better topic
For us to discuss
Until we all
Die!
—Hafiz

I have friends who believe in the Trinity—God the father almighty, Jesus Christ his only son, and the Holy Spirit. I don’t hold that against them unless it makes them mean.
I have friends who believe in American exceptionalism. I don’t hold that against them unless it makes them mean.
I have friends who believe in Buddhism, reincarnation, and UFOs. I don’t hold that against them unless it makes them mean.
I have friends who believe in science, human rights, equality, gender fluidity, environmentalism, pacifism, and humanism. I don’t hold that against them unless it makes them mean.
I have friends who believe in love. God is love. Love is god. Love is all you need. I don’t hold that against them unless it makes them mean.
Which is to say: I believe deeds speak louder than words. Or as Jesus put it: By their fruits you will know them. Thistles do not produce grapes. (Matthew 7.16)
I don’t believe everything I read in the Bible. But I believe that.
Yes, I believe in love. But I also believe love is not enough. It’s necessary but not sufficient. Wisdom is required as well.
Questions must be asked.
What are the characteristics of love? What are the works of love? What are the fruits of love?
Once a man came to me and spoke for hours about
“His great visions of God” he felt he was having.
He asked me for confirmation, saying,
“Are these wondrous dreams true?”
I replied, “How many goats do you have?”
He looked surprised and said,
“I am speaking of sublime visions
And you ask
About goats!”
And I spoke again saying,
“Yes, brother—how many do you have?”
“Well, Hafiz, I have sixty-two.”
“And how many wives?”
Again he looked surprised, then said,
“Four.”
“How many rose bushes in your garden,
How many children,
Are your parents still alive,
Do you feed the birds in winter?”
And to all he answered.
Then I said,
“You asked me if I thought your visions were true,
I would say that they were if they make you become
More human,
More kind to every creature and plant
That you know.”
_______________________
See Paula’s “The Orchid” on the home page. Posted Feb. 5, 2023