I Have Learned So Much From God

I Have Learned So Much From God (by Hafiz)

I
Have
Learned
So much from God
That I can no longer
Call
Myself A Christian, a Hindu, a Muslim
A Buddhist, a Jew.

The Truth has shared so much of Itself
With me
That I can no longer call myself
A man, a woman, an angel
Or even pure
Soul.

Love has
Befriended Hafiz so completely
It has turned to ash
And freed
Me

Of every concept and image
My mind has ever known.

“I have learned so much from God.”  I wonder if that’s something the disciples could have said on that Maundy Thursday long ago and in the days that followed?  Learning so much about love.  A love that goes deeper and to the core of any religion worth it’s salt.

“The truth has shared so much of itself with me.”  What an understatement.  All the time they were with him – seeing love and truth right before their eyes.  And on that night, in that room, seeing love and truth stoop down to serve them.

Love befriending them so completely not only on that that evening but in all the years they knew him and traveled with him.

And in the day that follows seeing a love that would obliterate “every concept and image mind has ever known,” about what love is and what love does and ultimately about who God is, and what God does.

But, just in case they didn’t see it, or experience it, or understand he also clearly told them:

“I give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”  John 13:34-35

It’s become known as “Maundy” – latin for command – the new command that was given to love and serve each other. It’s beyond labels!  Whoever loves like that knows God.  (1 John 4:8)

Change me O God, to love like you.  Amen.