PHILIPPIANS‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭‬‬

Paul notes that there is a certain morality to how he feels about his fellow believers. This is an important example for Christians in the modern age. A common trope of caretakers is that they should be disconnected from their characters charges. This gives them the ability to make hard decisions in a sterile emotional environment. It is viewed as a safer way of practicing care. Yet, scripture gives us a different example, which Paul exemplifies here. Our love, which includes emotion and passion, is to be driven by the transcendent nature of God in Christ, but it is not to be sterile and cold. In fact, to have a love that is without these things is a moral issue. It is not right before God. We are to care for each other the way a child is loved by their parents. This type of love expresses heartache, sadness and admonishment alongside joy, hope and wonder. We are to invest in each other with deep vulnerability and do so acknowledging that a love from a less emotional place is not right. This is how Christ loved us. He knew his mission and its perils, and yet he was doing over to repeatedly show kindness and compassion and genuine vulnerable care for those he loved. His love was far from sterile. This is why we have come to call the week he spent leading up to his crucifixion the “Passion Week.” Our care and n ministry should be able to be called our passion as well.