Hymns & Songs ¢ Judith Laoyan-Mosomos is the Director for Worship and Church Music at the Methodist School of Music, and a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.
“Love your neighbour!”
Over and
over we are reminded to do this through sermons, articles and even campaigns about showing acts of kindness. But what will it take for us to practice this mandate that Jesus has given us? Through the song “Jesu, Jesu” we hear Tom Colvin’s exhortation. Colvin describes: how Jesus manifested his love and servanthood; who our neighbours are; and how we should embody the love of Jesus Christ. The act of kneeling is emphasised and used to
Jesu, Jesu
exemplify Jesus’ servanthood, which brings to light the disposition we should keep in following Jesus.
Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us With Your Love (UMH 432)
Kneeling signifies humility. It is a posture taken when praying to God. Abraham, Daniel, Isaiah, Peter, Paul and even Jesus Himself knelt to pray. We, too, kneel when we come to the altar rail for Holy Communion. It is not a comfortable position. That is why the altar rails have kneeling pads. If loving puts us on our knees, does that mean
Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love, show us how to serve the neighbours we have from you. Kneels at the feet of his friends, silently washes their feet , Master who acts as a slave to them.
loving may also be uncomfortable? Definitely!
Refrain
These are the subtexts of “Jesu, Jesu”. Soon
Neighbors are wealthy and poor,
we will be back in church, kneeling at the
varied in color and race,
altar rail, communing with Jesus and the Body
neighbors are near us and far away.
of Christ. Where will this kneeling lead us to?
Refrain
Jesus interacted with the outcast, the poor, the marginalised. He saw and loved them in the
These are the ones we should serve,
image of God our creator.
these are the ones we should love,
We
carry
judgment,
prejudice—some
are
unfortunately common and acted upon. Can we change that? Will we see the way Jesus did? Will that perception then move our hearts to bend our knees to love and serve?
all these are neighbors to us and you. Refrain Loving puts us on our knees, silently washing their feet , this is the way we should live with you.
So much has changed for us today. We need this mandate—these reminders to help put ourselves
Refrain WORDS: Tom Colvin, 1969
in place. And if we want the love of God to prosper, I think it starts by loving our neighbour.
© 1969, 1997 Hope Publishing Company METHODIST MESSAGE May 2021
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