I was talking with some parents the other day who were discussing aspirations for their children.

One parent said he wanted his child to be known as a successful businessperson. One woman said she wanted to see her child follow her into medicine. Another woman said she simply wanted her child to be kind and caring.

After this last parent spoke up, everyone else agreed with her, and actually admitted that they wanted their children to be the same.

After all, being kind and loving is the aspiration of everyone reading these words. We understand that the best way to channel God into this world is to love. It is to give love and receive love. It is to ponder and practice love in our daily lives, at work, home, and play.

This Sunday we will hear Jesus say that his disciples will be known by their love for one another. We know this, know how to do this, and practice if frequently. However, we often need reminders to make this the priority we wish it were for us.

So, now are you and I cultivating reputations as bearers of love? How better might we love those around us? As we know, when we love others we’re loving God, so who around us needs love – and how might we bring it? And how might we better remind ourselves of our deepest desire: to love God by loving others?