by Pam Tinsley

“Gratitude begets gratitude” was the guiding principle of the late Carl Knirk, Canon for Stewardship in the Diocese of Olympia. Carl maintained that stewardship determines the type of person we are and will become, reminding us that everything we have is a gift from God. And although we often think of stewardship in terms of money and material items, stewardship embraces all aspects of our lives, especially our relationships with others.

As Holy Week approaches, Carl’s words come to mind when I think of Jesus’ last meal with his disciples. Jesus gave both the Twelve and us – his present-day disciples – a new commandment: “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Jesus incarnates God’s unconditional love and proclaims it to be all-inclusive and all-embracing.

The very essence of God is love. And because we are created in God’s image, every day each of us is called to bear God’s love into the world by how we live and how we love one another – with God’s help. When we love one another generously, we make God’s love known to others. When we love genuinely, others are inspired to love, as well. Love, then, becomes an antidote for hatred, indifference, injustice, and fear. When love spreads, it has the power to transform our relationships, our communities, and even our world. It has the power to point to the Kingdom of God that is right here, right now – unfolding in our midst.

In other words, love begets love!