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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