Reason After Reason for the Lack of Charity, the Fifth Sunday of Easter – Year C

My Sisters and Brothers:

     In today’s Gospel we hear the words of Jesus, “I give you a new commandment: love one another . . . as I have loved you, so you also should love one another . . . this is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (see John 13:34-35). Isn’t it clear Jesus was very direct and to the point with these words? As Christians, we must demonstrate our love for each other with both our words and our actions.

     Unfortunately, isn’t it sad and true that many people, even some who claim to be “Christian,” simply do not follow this basic mandate of our faith? It seems to me that there are those who will hide behind some type of “righteousness,” and then make all kinds of excuses in order to justify their withdrawal of love and respect from others. These “righteous” people may give reason after reason why their lack of charity toward certain men and/or women is completely warranted.

     Like litigious lawyers, they will come up with specific examples of the failings of others, and they will claim they have “done this or that,” or they have “lived ungodly lives,” or they have “committed unforgivable sins,” or they have “harmed people with malicious intentions,” or they have “failed to follow the rules,” or they have “lived questionable lifestyles,” or they have “expressed the wrong political views,” or they have simply “rubbed people the wrong way,” etcetera, etcetera.

     Once the “righteous” have made their cases against these obvious “sinners,” then withdrawal of love and respect, and their subsequent ostracization, may seem completely justified. After all, they may rationalize, Jesus wasn’t talking about “those kinds of people” when he said we “must love one another.” Or was he? 

     We might recall this teaching on love occurred at the Last Supper. There, Jesus had washed the feet of his “unworthy” disciples, and he had taught them about the sacrifice of his own life he himself would make for the sins of others. And he said to them “I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do” (see John 13:15). It seems clear to me, as Jesus lovingly and completely gave himself for others, even for those who were “unworthy,” he calls us to do the same. Yes, he even wants us to love those “sinners” who may have done us wrong! And at times we know, because we are mere men and women, it will not be easy to follow this most difficult command! But I believe we must follow it if we dare to call ourselves Christians!

     As we contemplate this mandate, it may be helpful for us to remember the words from St. Paul’s teaching on love. He wrote: “Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, love is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails . . .” (see 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a).

     As we remain ever faithful in loving others as our Risen Lord Jesus requires of us, let us always and enthusiastically do so with heartfelt words and corresponding actions!

Christ is Risen, Truly, He is Risen, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Praise God!  Friar Timothy

 

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