Big Loves and Small Loves

There used to be a TV show on HBO called "Big Love". It was about a polygamist and his relationship with his three wives. To me, that is not what big love is.Columnist David Brooks' recent NY Times article talks about big loves and small loves. He says that small loves are love for your spouse, your children, your neighborhood, your garden, etc. Big loves are love for your country, great causes such as the environment, global human rights, and advocacy for those in need, who are unable to speak for themselves. On Memorial Day we think of those young people who died for their big love of our country.Big loves see the larger picture that pushes us to be hopeful, caring, and concerned about the larger world. This doesn't come automatically. It comes from your parents, teaching and showing you the love of small things such as nature, friendship, and, of course, school and church. Your kids need to know the things you love, great and small.Unfortunately, today our country is filled with people who want to join start-ups or eat locally-grown foods but don't really see a larger picture besides their own safety and concerns.The language of love is always spoken here at St. John's, whether it's in the liturgy, sermon, prayer, or social concerns. I can't help but think of the hymn "Blessed Be the Tie That Binds" that asks us to have a "sympathizing tear".May your small loves spill over to something greater as we look at the larger world God has created for us to care for.MEH