Tuesday, February 18, 2014

The Church of Love


The following text is a fragment from a Cathar text from 1148.

It does not exist in a fixed form,
but only by the mutual agreement of persons.
It has no members except for those who feel that they belong to it.
It has no rivals because it does not nourish the spirit of competition.
It has no ambition because it only wishes to serve.
It does not have any national boundaries because love does not act this way.
It does not close itself off, as it tries to enrich all groups and religions.
It respects all the great teachers of all times who revealed the truth of love.

All who belong to it, practice the truth of love with their whole being.
He, who belongs to it, knows that.

It does not try to teach other; but only tries to be and by being to give.
It lives in the knowledge that the whole earth is a living being and that we are part of it.
It knows that the time of the last return has arrived; the way of self-surrender, in free will to return to unity.
It does not make itself known by loud words, but works in the free domain of being.
It salutes all those who have enlightened the path of love and gave their lives for it.
It does not create any ranks in its midst and no elevation of anybody, because the one is no greater than the other.
It does not promise reward neither in this or in another life, yet only the joy of being in that love.

Its members recognise each other by their behaviour, their way of being, by the look in their eyes and by no other external act than to embrace each other in a brotherly and sisterly way.
They know neither fear nor shame
and their witness will always be truthful in good as in bad times.

The church of love has no secret,
has neither mystery nor initiation except for the deep knowledge of the power of love, 
as the world must change, if we as persons wish it so;
but only if firstly we change ourselves.

All those who feel that they belong to it do indeed belong.
They belong to the church of love.









Top image by Victoria Pettella

10 comments:

  1. I always say that Love is my religion.

    Gorgeous!

    I leave a kiss with affection.

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  2. Thank you Sónia...the Cathars may have sacrificed their lives for this belief, but they never sacrificed their love, and that is their enduring message to us which still eloquently echoes across these many centuries.
    Blessings and love to you!

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  3. This is such a wonderful and beautiful passage! The truth of love that these words point to is as fresh today as it was hundreds of years ago, for love that embraces all life, is here and now as is it was then. Love is the highest expression of the underlying oneness of all. There is a such a sense of great universality, freedom and joy that exudes from the words. The words are remarkable and amazing! "It does not promise reward neither in this or in another life, yet only the joy of being in that love." What a wonderful phrase - "joy of being..." And if feeling I belong to this church of love is the requirement, well then... I must belong! Thank you for posting this!

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  4. "The truth of love that these words point to is as fresh today as it was hundreds of years ago, for love that embraces all life, is here and now as is it was then."
    You say it, Joseph. People change, but Love endures.

    "And if feeling I belong to this church of love is the requirement, well then... I must belong!" ..... I know you do!!!

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  5. so very beautiful. thank you.

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    1. I can only agree with you, Anonymous. Thank you for your appreciation.

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  6. Such a poignant text which remains eternally worthwhile and relevant. I am always comforted to reflect on the thought that the love which was the true spirit of the Cathars' beliefs burns far brighter than the earthly fires that ultimately consumed them. Thank you, Emma.

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    1. Thank you, David, for a comment which offers such hope. The sacrifices that the Cathars endured for their beliefs have indeed outlasted the flames of persecution that burned all those centuries ago. Hope endures - and so does love!

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