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More than a Bridge, a Love Story

Redwoods, Olympia National Forest, WA

Redwoods, Olympia National Forest, WA

St. Catherine of Siena in the 14th century was perhaps the first Christian to depict God’s incarnation as man (Jesus), his life, death and resurrection, as a bridge from heaven to earth.  Christians of many faiths have been using the bridge analogy to depict God’s love for us ever since.  This bridge, or love story, is perhaps best describe in the bible in John 3:16.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”~ John 3:16

But just as every love story asks both parties to participate, so does the love story between heaven and earth.  The apostle John gave us an indication of this need for us to accept and respond to God’s grace of love in John 3:36 when he tells us to obey God’s Son.

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.~ John 3:36

St Iraneous (125 AD – 202 AD), a disciple of St. Polycarp - who was a disciple of St John the evangelist - echo’s the words in the gospel of John when he said, To believe in him means to do his will."  

Perhaps one of my favorite quotes of this exchange of love between God and man was written by St. Clement (35 AD – 99 AD).  “Let the man truly possessed by the love of Christ keep his commandments.”   St. Clement was a disciple of St. Peter and likely also of St. Paul and was the fourth pope.   

Jesus loves us.  Let us show our love for Jesus by listening to him and obeying his commandments and instructions.