own so that we can feel His blessings as outcomes of our own decisions. So
premature death, however we define it, has to be seen as something permitted,
and certainly not ideal.
In summary, life in this world, whether pleasant or troubled, can be
described in one word: opportunity. Naturally, materially, we are often bound
and limited, but spiritually everything we experience can be used for our
benefit. Let us use it wisely, and support one another to the best of our ability
as we do.
Amen.
The Rev. Michael D. Gladish is pastor of the Washington New
Church Society and School in Mitchellville, Maryland, where he
lives with his wife, Virginia (de Maine). He has been a pastor in
Hurstville, New South Wales, Australia; Los Angeles, California;
the Olivet New Church in Toronto, Canada; the Calgary New
Church in Alberta, Canada; and the Dawson Creek Society in
British Columbia, Canada. He was Executive Vice President of
the General Church in Canada and is regional pastor for the
Southeastern United States: Contact: [email protected]
O U R N E W C H U RC H V O C A B U L A R Y
Part of a continuing series developed by the Rev. W. Cairns Henderson, 1961-1966.
LOVE TO THE NEIGHBOR
This also denotes an impersonal affection, that is, not love of the proprium of others
and what proceeds from it, but love of good from the Lord and its subjects, which are men
and women. It therefore refers to love of uses, which are goods. This does not mean that love
toward the neighbor is cold and abstract, for what we love in others anyway is quality of mind
and achievement, but that love is given to those qualities which seem to be good. The concept
implies wise discrimination. (See Divine Love and Wisdom 426; Heaven and Hell 278)
385