Richard Rolle

"All love which is not God-directed is bad love, and makes its possessors bad, too."

-Richard Rolle

 Richard Rolle talks about about the real root of sin and compares it to both the seen and unseen. I think the sin that we are most aware of and quick to condemn is of course, the seen. Those who love to better themselves, cover themselves with gifts and are quick to cause arguments in order that they might become better than those around them- an extremely individualistic lifestyle they live; this is the sin that is always so evident. But Rolle makes a point in talking about the root being as much unseen as the seen. Could a vocational minister indulge in the same sin and still lead a congregation or community in the ways of Jesus. The unseen sin is found in the heart of those who have no appeal for self-image, they  have no desire to engage in arguments- longing to be perfect. This unseen sin is as deep as the seen- "they see themselves as saints standing out from the rest." The root of both sins is greed. It is very real possibility that a minster could fall deep into this sin. As a result it has potential to bring down all people that they surround themselves with. Family, community, and friends are all effected by the mass of greed that drives a person to look better than the world. It eventually takes its toll, "love for God and love for the world cannot coexist in the same soul: the stronger drives out the weaker, and it soon appears who loves the world, and who follows Christ. The strength of peoples love is shown in what they do." 

Father remove the greed my heart that leads me away from you, draw me in close- teach me to love as you have loved.