I was referring to this world, not the next (I think)…
AISI humans love very little in the “universal Agape” sense. First - we pick and choose (consciously or subconsciously) who are our loved ones (which is the first clue that we are by and large operating from a self serving ego point of view). Then we allow a certain amount of unconditional love to seep through, as we are able. Which is a good thing, the best thing going in fact!
It seems that our letting go of all but Jesus is a process and a painful one often, but not a hopeless one if we keep saying yes…
Agreed. I just think it’s a good reality check to realize that we are not as spiritual as some suppose. In fact - perfect empathy would keep us awake 24/7 and we would soon die. That may well be why “no man can see God and live”. (Yes - I know I’m so far outside the box that it’s - well, it seems a bit weird). Really though - CS Lewis says it well
youtube.com/watch?v=WvOrVv19sJk
"All this is flashy rhetoric about loving you.
I never had a selfless thought since I was born.
I am mercenary and self-seeking through and through;
I want God, you , all friends, merely to serve my turn.
Peace, reassurance pleasure, are the goals I seek,
I cannot crawl one inch outside my own skin;
I talk of love–a scholar’s parrot may talk Greek–
But, self-imprisoned, always end where I begin. "
Of course we all picture ourselves as being enlightened and beyond all that - while we sleep well as long as we’re okay.
Not condemning but let’s just face reality. Very few, if any really “Love their neighbor as themselves”.
Just sayin’