Thursday, September 7, 2017

Love In Action

Deacon Tom Writes,
Love in Action


There is a very wise saying that cautions, “Before you tell someone what you’re going to do, tell them what you have done”. In other words, it is experience that counts more than talk!

It’s no different on the spiritual plain. The essence of spiritual life is action. There must be growth in the form of a deeper understanding of self and God, of movement in the form of a change of heart that gradually becomes less self-absorbed and more concerned about the well-being of others; of activity in the form of service to the “least of my brothers and sisters” (Mt 25:45). St. Paul writes to the Romans that keeping the law means obedience to the commandments to do no harm by not murdering, not committing adultery, not stealing, etc. But these and “whatever other commandments there may be (Rom 13:9) are all housed together within the framework of the great commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mk 12:31) which encapsulates the entirety of the law.

If love is the ultimate sign of the depth of our faith and the fulfillment of the law, if love shows our willingness to put others before self, then one of the mantras of our contemporary society is appropriate for us…. more is better in spiritual matters. The difference, between God’s way and the way of the world, of course, is that there are no negative side effects to loving without limit. Actually, it is our spiritual goal: to grow in love each and every day.

Love in action is what Christ demands of His disciples. We are expected not only to be the messengers of His words, but also doers of His works. This is what it means, to deny oneself and take up the cross daily and follow Him (Lk 9:23). This is the difficult work of discipleship. Christian love demands that we love when love is needed, not just when we feel in the mood. These times call for an outpouring of self-sacrificing love, the love Jesus poured out on us. There are so many people in need in Texas, in Syria, in far away places and around the corner. The need is overwhelming, not just for financial assistance but for a spiritual response also, through our prayers and sacrifices. We are “One body in Christ” (Rom 12:5) St Paul reminds us. In the Spirit of that unity, may we reach out to our brothers and sisters in needs so that we too may, “Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer”. (Rom 12:12)


Enjoy the day!

Deacon Tom

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