Heart of Faith

“Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.”

1 John 3:18

On a snowy, stormy Sunday in New York City, I left our worship service and was walking behind a congregational member, who had no idea I was behind him. He came to an intersection, and the pedestrian signal was about to turn red, so he waited. However, there was a lady with a walker struggling to get to the other side in time. The traffic light turned green, and suddenly cars are honking and people are shouting, “Get out of the way.”

Our dear congregational member first gave a death stare at the impatient people honking, and then his demeanor changed as he went to the aid of the woman. Without rushing her, he gently walked with her to the other side. I don’t know what was said between them once they crossed the street, but the woman had a huge smile on her face and nearly fell over trying to hug him.

As we move through Lent toward Easter, we contemplate the heart of the faith: love. Sometimes saying “God loves you” is a faithful witness, but often it is the embodiment of God’s love in action that makes it real and lasting.

Reverend Dr. Michael Bos
Senior Minister, Marble Collegiate Church