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Preacher’s Corner
Bernard, 4 Levels of Love I found the greatest love of all Inside of me. The greatest love of all Is easy to achieve. Learning to love yourself. It is the greatest love of all. These lyrics come from a Whitney Houston hit, “The Greatest Love of All,” which has become something of a Baby Boomer anthem. She urged children to find “all the beauty they possess inside.” We Boomers loved that song because we wanted to find our worth apart from our parents’ approval of us. Of course, when we became parents, we sought to build our children’s self-worth through our approval of them. The point is, self-acceptance has been our Holy Grail. I sympathize with this desire to build self-esteem. I agree that the golden rule, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself,” assumes a healthy love of oneself. However, I want to offer a warning. If we are not careful, our desire for worth can lead us to hurt others and ourselves. In true Baby Boomer fashion, I want to commend a “step program” to self-worth that comes from Bernard of Clairvaux who lived over nine centuries ago. 1. One begins, Bernard says, by loving oneself for one's own sake. Some of Bernard’s contemporaries so emphasized original sin that they totally condemned this kind of self love. Bernard agreed that it is dangerous to remain in this early stage. Those who live in faithful service of their own needs and desires can wreck havoc in relationships and in communities. However, a child is born into this kind of self love and there is nothing wrong with it. A baby has no choice but to be self-centered. Bernard doesn’t want to break a child of this kind of self-esteem, but to help the child grow to realize that there others are valuable too. This realization that others matter too may be a baby
by George C. Anderson
step, but is a first step toward a greater love of God. 2. The second level of love is loving God for one’s own sake. Bernard’s second level of love evolves as one becomes aware that “If I want what is best for me, then I’ll love and serve the one who can do far more for me than I can do for myself.” Though Bernard’s second level of love is still immature, it is the level of spirituality of many believers. It is why many believe in God. It is why most people join a church. “I want to be loved, so I will love God.” “I want to be saved, so I’ll believe in God.” “I want to be blessed, so I’ll keep God’s commandments.” Clearly stuck in this second level are those who make the claim that without the threat of hell there would be in incentive to be a good person. Do you catch the assumption in that sentence? “If it were left completely up to me, what I know to be good is not what I want for me.” Is that true? Is there no other reason not to cheat on a spouse except not to be caught? Is there no other reason not to steal than the fear of ending up in jail? Is there no other reason for serving God than the fear of eternal damnation? Again, Bernard doesn’t condemn this level of self-love. He knows that a four year old may love his parents, but the threat of consequences may be what keeps him from violating certain rules. But a parents hopes a child grows into someone who loves the good for the sake of the good. And this brings us to Bernard’s third level of love 3. Bernard’s third level of love is loving God for God’s sake. Threats of damnation are no longer relevant. One’s life has meaning and value in loving and serving the God who first loved us. It is difficult for us Boomers to understand the ancient mystics who practiced self-denial as a daily discipline, but their prayers for the people
and their heartfelt devotion to daily submission energized the church and resulted in tremendous ministries of compassion in otherwise dark and brutal times. That’s how it works, this “agape” love of God -it leads to an ability to love another so much that one can put their interests ahead of one’s own. One can even lay down one’s life for a family member like a spouse or a child, or a friend, or a community (or even, if one takes Jesus’ radical vision to be Gospel truth, an enemy). Yet, Bernard would say that “agape” is not the highest level of love. There is one higher. 4. The highest level of love is to love yourself for God's sake. When Jesus said that the greatest love is the willingness to lay down one’s life for another, it was not because one’s own life is of no worth. When he gave his own life on the cross, it was not because Jesus counted his life to be of no value. Yes, we are sinners, but, our core identity begins in what God finds salvageable, not in what we find flawed. Imagine the risen Christ asking of anyone who struggles with self worth: “Why consider worthless one for whom I died?” Or, to turn a question into an affirmation: “Don’t deem unworthy what I deemed to be a pearl of great price.” I began the column by noting that to love one’s neighbor as oneself assumes that one loves oneself. Before Jesus articulated that golden rule, he first said this: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.” That self-worth we Boomers have been so frantic to find, is found in love of God. To truly love God is to love those God loves…such as the world… such as you.
5/21/10 - 5/27/10 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 9
Commentary: Take a Lesson from Lynchburg on Mill Mountain A few weeks ago, the family and I were returning from our trip out West, circling Lynchburg preparing for our landing when I overheard another air passenger behind me make a comment to another passenger "why did they do that?" She was referring to Candlers Mountain which constructed a fake ski slope which has become, to this particular resident, an eye sore above the city. No doubt, a neat idea at first, but I am certain that there are those wondering "why the heck did we support this?" Mill Mountain is no different. Rockledge Inn, perhaps a cool idea to many, but if it becomes a fixture on the mountain, there will be those who will have buyer's remorse or those who have been ignoring the topic (or out of the loop altogether) who will say, "who the heck gave approval to put that up there?" (See www.liberty. edu/snowflex) In reality it is a very similar situation to what we are facing in Roanoke, except that Mill Mountain is public land and Candlers Mountain is private. And being public, our local government is suppose to be the voice of the people, but sometimes those governing are hard of hearing since their ears are normally stuffed with "potential" tax dollars. When will City Council move the Valley in a forward direction by listening to the majority of the people and stop toying with this idea of developing Mill Mountain? Did we not learn anything
from the Taubman Museum project? Another great idea, funded significantly by the city (free land and 4 million dollars), lots of hype and initial excitement, but now, hurting from the so-called poor economy and basic lack of interest. It's a shame. Watch or read all the recent stories about the very tough times faced by the "Taubman Museum" with "Rockledge Inn." It will be no different. As for me, an athlete and recreational advocate (not an environmentalist, but "commonsensalist"), I am for protecting Mill Mountain from ridiculous development because there is no identifiable benefit to the majority of citizens in Roanoke City to build a restaurant masked as a "community center." If I want to ski, I will fly to Colorado or hop in my car to where snow actually exists. If I need a place to eat, Roanoke is ranked as having the most restaurants per capita of any city in the country. Clearly, there are plenty of eating establishments to satisfy any craving. Roanoke is on the map because of destinations like Mill Mountain, for its minimized development and beauty - not for having another place to stuff one’s face. - Ron Glowczynski, Roanoke
Commentary: Congress Needs a Budget
Traditionally, Congress is expected to agree on a will only continue. We have already seen the pasbudget for the upcoming fiscal year by April 15th. sage, without my support, of the so-called “ecoIt is this budget process at the beginning of each nomic stimulus” legislation which was supposed year where the decision is made regarding total to put Americans back to work. Not only did the federal spending for the year. It is the budget that stimulus legislation fail to create jobs but it is now sets the stage for how fiscally responsible govern- estimated to be costing American taxpayers over ment spending will be. Since the passage of the $1 trillion including interest. Budget Act of 1974, the House of Representatives Not only should Congress produce a budget has never failed to pass an initial budget to set the but, I am a strong supporter of several measures spending priorities for the following fiscal year. that promote the establishment of a balanced budHowever, we are now a month past the deadline get and the elimination of wasteful government and Speaker Pelosi and the Democratic Leader- programs, including a Constitutional amendship are showing no signs of complying with the ment that I introduced which requires the federal law and coming forward with a budget for fiscal government to balance its budget. Congress must year 2011. steadfastly hold the line on government spendFamilies and small businesses all across our na- ing which is why I have consistently voted for the tion understand what it means to make tough de- tightest budgets offered each year. cisions each day about what they can and cannot As elected officials and stewards of the taxafford. They understand the importance of creat- payer’s money, we have a responsibility to put toing and living by a budget. Unfortunately, instead gether a sustainable budget and stick to it. The of making the tough choices necessary to reduce Congress must continue to work to rein in spendspending, the Majority in Congress has decided ing and put to practice a spending approach that to forgo a budget altogether. Just four years ago many Americans already live by: if you don’t have the same leaders who are now shirking their re- it, don’t spend it. sponsibility and choosing to move forward without a budget were very clear on how important - Bob Goodlatte the budget process is to the operation of the fedTo contact me go to: www.goodlatte.house.gov. eral government. In 2006, Congressman Steny Hoyer, who is now the House Majority Leader, George Anderson is the seAnglican Catholic Church was quoted as saying enacting a nior pastor at Second Presbytebudget was “the most basic rerian Church in Roanoke, Visit Sunday: Holy Communion sponsibility of governing” and them on the web at spres.org 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Congressman John Spratt, who is Christian Education 10 a.m. now the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, said “if you Thursday: Holy Communion 9:30 a.m. can’t budget, you can’t govern.” Bible Study 10:30 a.m. Without the passage of a federal budget the reckless spending 366-9416 4910 Hubert Rd NW Roanoke that has run rampant in Congress (at Hershberger, E of Williamson Rd.) www.sttofc.org Valley to help people.” “One young man, confined to INTO Open Saturdays! a wheelchair as a result of childG N * I R WITH hood cancer, said, Even though S P I can’t do the stand-up Helping SPRING 1,2 & 3 Bedroom Apartments Hand (a large white hand cos*Offer good thru 4/30/2010 tume that people can get inside of to represent United Way), I You’ll love all the changes we’ve made at can give back to the community West Creek Manor for you and your family that gave straight to me when I plus you’ll save money with our affordable needed it. I’m very honored and rents and energy-efcient apartments homes! proud to be one of the guinea pigs, and I’m glad this program Stop by and see for yourself. is continuing next year.” Some of our new amenities: Jean Glontz, United Way • ALL NEW kitchen cabinets with under-cabinet lighting board member, who with Lucy Walton, former board mem• ALL NEW refrigerator, stove, range hood and kitchen countertop ber, lead the inaugural group, • ALL NEW dishwasher & garbage disposal thanked the parents for letting 410-1 Westside Blvd. • PLENTY of Parking as well as a convenient bus route us have them for a short time. Roanoke Va 24017 We are so proud of them, and westcreek@habitatamerica.com you can see why.
St. Thomas of Canterbury
Student United Way's Graduating Seniors Give Farewell Speeches There were some tears, there were a few laughs, and there were moments when the audience sucked in its collective breath in pride and amazement at what the graduating seniors of the Student United Way program had to say about themselves, their times, their community, and the future last Tuesday night at the Hotel Roanoke. Having been chosen as pioneers in a pilot Student United Way program, when they were but wee sophomores three short years ago, the young men and women made their farewell speeches to their parents, United Way staff and board members, teachers, and of course, each other. They spoke of great opportunities to demonstrate leadership and responsibility and how much they treasured this chance to give, advocate, and volunteer (the United Way motto). A sampling: On visiting the Turning Point and other United Waysupported programs early in their Student United Way orientation: When we visited the [battered women's shelter], there were some high school students there hiding out from us, because they didn't want to be recognized and it dawned on me that these were real people and everyone knows someone who has been helped by United Way. “I had no idea that this happened here.” “It was heartbreaking.” “The closest I ever came to that before was watching Lifetime with my mother.” “It opened my eyes.” On learning about United Way: “I learned that United Way is related to all these different agencies.” “United Way is so dedicated and it's in it for the people of the Roanoke Valley.” “I have learned the definition of giving - time and money.”
“United Way helps the community and brings the community together.” “It's many agencies coming together for one goal.” On their time in Student United Way: “I was flattered, but I had no idea what I was getting into what a great experience it was going to be.” “People are so generous here.” “We raised $ 1,700 in our student/ faculty volleyball game not bad for the first year!” “I leaned valuable lessons Ill take with me to college.” “We met CEOS from big businesses around the Roanoke Valley.” “This big thing has changed the person who I am, changed my fundamental beliefs.” “I got to collaborate with students from around the Roanoke
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