Jerry Maguire is a 1996 film starring Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Renée Zellweger. Jerry Maguire is an “end of his rope” sports agent representing Rod Tidwell, a wide receiver with baggage. Dorothy Boyd is a loyal support staff whom Maguire initially marries out of convenience. For what it’s worth, Entertainment Tonight recently ranked Jerry Maguire as the #1 date movie of all time, in part because of the memorable dialogue between Cruise and Zellweger where he concludes a lengthy romantic plea with the statement, “You complete me.” And Zellweger replies, “You had me at ‘hello’”

Our scripture passage for today suggests an entirely different reason to think about Jerry Maguire as a good date movie. It’s because it prompts questions and conversations about what really defines love as Jerry Maguire tries to forge a living by relationship building in an otherwise materialistic industry. Rod Tidwell’s famous quote in the movie is “Show me the money!” – A repeated statement of exasperation with the inferior contract he was being offered. But at the same time he envied his colleagues who had plenty of “coin”, Tidwell also acknowledged that what was really important to have is what he called “Kwan”. Tidwell’s word Kwan connotes love, respect and community. Ultimately, the movie is more about Kwan than coin; more about “Show me the love” than “Show me the money”.

John 14:15-21 is also about “Show me the love”. Today’s Bible passage is a continuation of Jesus’ “Farewell Discourse” that Becky Sechrist described in her sermon last week. Jesus offered words of comfort and challenge to his disciples prior to his arrest, crucifixion and resurrection. Jesus’ words this morning begin, “If you love me…” Although love plays a prominent role in Jesus’ teaching in all the gospels, only in John is love personalized toward Jesus himself. Somewhat surprisingly, the verb “love” with Jesus as the object occurs only nine times in the gospels, all of them in John (8:42; 10:17; 14:15, 21, 23, 24; 21:15, 16, 17).

Two of those rare instances are in our passage from John 14 as bookends in verse 15 and verse 21. Close reading is clear that loving Jesus is not about a romantic feeling; it’s not about some charismatic experience; it’s not about assenting to the right beliefs. No, for Jesus, loving him is more about what can be shown than felt; more about what it does than what it says.

Bruce and Barb Hiller are long time members of Good Samaritan. As with lots of people, if you want to strike up a conversation with the Hillers, ask them about their passions. And somewhere, very close to the top of their list, is their little 4 ½ year old Havanese named Molly. I’ve met Molly on several occasions, as have most people who know Bruce and Barb. Last July, Molly attained a new distinction – no, she can’t walk on water… yet, but she has joined the healing profession. Molly, (oh, and Barb) are card carrying, registered members of Therapy Dogs International, Inc. (TDI). Molly is working in two Twin Cities nursing homes and one Florida hospice center.

TDI is a volunteer organization dedicated to regulating, testing and registration of therapy dogs and their volunteer handlers for the purpose of visiting nursing homes, hospitals, other institutions and wherever else therapy dogs are needed. Therapy Dogs International is now over thirty years old, spans all fifty states and parts of Canada with over 15,000 handlers and 18,000 registered dogs. Studies have shown that a person holding or petting a dog can cause a lowering of blood pressure, the release of strain and tension, and can draw a person out from loneliness and depression. It struck me that as I listened to Barb and Molly’s therapy dog stories, that they provide both an apt commentary on our gospel lesson and a fitting way to show Godly, or should I say “dogly” love.

In verse 15 Jesus says love is shown through obedience; by keeping God’s commandments. Obedience training for 1-2 years is a first step in TDI certification. Such classes train basic skills for listening and behavior. Dogs learn to sit and heel and remain attentive to their owner’s needs and desires. Love becomes more than just words when we respond to the needs and desires of others. Loving obedience doesn’t have to look like submission, but it does look like genuine attentiveness to interests beyond our own.

In verse 16 Jesus says love is shown through the Advocate; in Greek the Paraclete, meaning one who stays firm as a companion. I watched a TDI certification test on You Tube and a significant part of the dog’s role was to stay firm when told, even if confronted by loud noises or strangers and even if the owner walked a significant distance away. We show a deep sense of love to others when we stay firm as a companion, even when we’re tempted by distractions or even when those we love become distant from time to time. Staying firm alleviates the volatility and insecurity that threatens so many relationships.

In verse 17, Jesus says that God’s love abides, God is present with us no matter what. A primary role of therapy dogs is to just be present with someone. Barb said that in her work with Molly in hospice and nursing home settings, she’s always amazed at the number of people who are starved for the touch of another creature. Many people don’t want to let go of Molly when it’s time to leave and just holding her elicits stories of pets and other friendships of their past. If someone is having a bad day, like we all do from time to time, be silent and sit close by. Usually we don’t need to say anything profound. Sometimes we don’t need to say anything at all. Often the abiding assurance of a gentle, empathetic nuzzle is all we need to offer.

In verse 18, Jesus notes that love is shown by taking the initiative to come to us even if we feel “orphaned” or awkward. It’s critical for well-trained dogs to come when called. Whether they’ve done wrong or been wronged, they peacefully approach their owner without malice or threat. No matter how harshly we may have felt wronged or how embarrassed we may be about our own wrongs, we show love when we refuse to pout or hold a grudge. We keep coming back to those we love – avoiding biting when a simple growl will do. Imagine the love it would show if we welcomed the estranged with the unconditional acceptance and excitement of a wagging tail. It communicates a presence that is safe and secure.

In verse 19, Jesus affirms that love is shown in ways that are real even though the world may not be able to see it. Barb has become a believer in the unseen power of Molly’s love. She tells the story of visiting the locked unit of a nursing home. An elderly woman was completely unresponsive to any stimuli in the room, but Barb held Molly close and put the woman’s hand on her back. Ever so gradually, the woman’s expressionless face began to smile, her eyes opened, her fingers stroked Molly’s fur and she began to interact for the first time in a long time. Love requires us to believe that there is a power that is real beyond what the world can see. Love weaves a tapestry of connections and patterns and life that only that only the soul can see.

In verse 20, love is shown by blurring the distinctions between me and thee; love gives a part of ourselves to others and accepts a part of others within us. Dogs used for therapy work and their owners have a temperament that is open to such give and take. They may not all be “pure-bred,” but they all have a love of people. TDI founder Elaine Smith speaks just as insightfully for people as she does for dogs when she says, “All Therapy Dogs have one thing in common. Their owners have discovered Therapy Dogs International, Inc. and have the unselfish desire to help others, taking time to paws awhile for love.”

And finally in verse 21, love is shown because those who love will be loved in return. Therapy Dogs are now being used in children’s reading programs. Struggling readers who find it embarrassing to read aloud to teachers or more fluent classmates, are now reading to dogs, who listen patiently, warmly, happily and non-judgmentally to the story. It gives the kids a comfortable personality to practice with and they grow to love the dogs that show their love to them. Showing love is a two-way street. What we give returns to us in abundance.

I close with a few dog riddles. What has four legs and an arm? (A happy pit bull.) What’s the most forgiving dog? (A hot dog, because it feeds the hand that bites it.) Why do dogs have so many friends? (Because they wag their tails and not their tongues.) How do you teach old dogs new tricks? (By trying to become the kind of person our dog thinks we are!)

It’s not that we should think of ourselves as God’s dogs. But perhaps God has shared with us these furry friends to remind us humans about how to be a bit more humane. Sometimes dogs do better at displaying human traits than we humans. And sometimes they are even more Christlike. Think about it. Consistently more humble, more unconditionally loving, more grateful, more joyful, more kindhearted… Which should compel us to bow - if not to bow wow: and pray that we’ll never let dogs be better Christians than ourselves!