What We Really Mean When We Talk About Love: What Does It Look Like? Perspectives FUMCSD Pastors Podcast S3E49
Aug 30, 2026
Summary
What does love actually look like when it’s difficult, uncomfortable, or undeserved? In this episode of Perspectives, Revs. Trudy and Brittany explore what we really mean when we talk about love through the story of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet in John 13:3–9. And there's a particularly difficult question at the heart of the story: Why would Jesus wash Judas’s feet—even knowing Judas would betray him?
Detail
What does love actually look like when it’s difficult, uncomfortable, or undeserved?
In this episode of Perspectives, Revs. Trudy and Brittany explore what we really mean when we talk about love through the story of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet in John 13:3–9. And there's a particularly difficult question at the heart of the story: Why would Jesus wash Judas’s feet—even knowing Judas would betray him?
Together, the female pastors of First United Methodist Church of San Diego discuss:
- How Jesus turned an ordinary act of hospitality into something radical
- Why love can feel uncomfortable and vulnerable
- The challenge of both giving and receiving love
- Why unconditional love is so difficult for us
- What it means to love someone who may hurt or betray us
- The difference between love, grace, and forgiveness
- How vulnerability and community shape the way we experience love
- What it means to follow Jesus on a journey to a more open and expansive heart
Reflection Questions
- When has love called you to do something that seemed ridiculous or unreasonable to others?
- What makes it difficult/uncomfortable for you to let others love and care for you?
- Who has shown you a kind of love that changed the way you understand love?
Continue the conversation:
This episode is part of our five-week series exploring “What We Really Mean When We Talk About…” – giving us the opportunity to reflect upon and explore tricky theological concepts. Next week, we'll explore what we really mean when we talk about peace. Whether you're deconstructing your faith, exploring progressive Christianity, pursuing justice, or simply asking honest questions about Scripture, we hope you'll join the conversation.
- Convergence discussion group (Sundays at 12 PM)
- Join our Patreon community
Time Stamps
00:00 Love Is More Than What You Say
01:47 Why Would Jesus Wash His Disciples’ Feet?
04:00 Why Love Can Be Radical, Ridiculous & Uncomfortable
06:15 Why Receiving Love Can Be So Difficult
08:32 Love Requires Vulnerability
09:41 Why Did Jesus Wash Judas’s Feet?
12:25 Why Is Unconditional Love So Hard?
13:53 Love, Grace & Forgiveness: What’s the Difference?
20:44 Love Isn’t a One-Way Street
22:54 Are You Better at Giving or Receiving Love?
