Do's, Don'ts and Godly Love–the Sixth Sunday of Easter–Year A

My Sisters and Brothers:

In today’s Gospel, Jesus said “those who love me will keep my commandments . . . and those who love me will be loved by my Father” (see John 14:15-21). When we hear the word “commandment,” even within the context of Jesus’ teaching on love, we might immediately and only think of the “do’s” and the “don’ts” usually perceived as imposed upon “religious people.”

The Ten Commandments, believed to have been given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, are of course the most obvious example of this (often, when thinking of that Biblical story, I’ll recall Charlton Heston as Moses, and how he angrily hurled stone tablets at an idol the Israelites had created; the image is seared into my mind). These Commandments have in fact been very important to us, and so as small children we studied them in our catechism classes, and as adults we’ve continued to observe them throughout our lives. As such, I believe we’ve carefully striven to esteem and to honor God and our fellow human beings. On this point, it’s interesting to note how most of the Commandments (seven, to be exact) speak of how people are to treat, to respect, and even “to love” each other. Consequently, and as we’ve related to others, things like “honoring our fathers and mothers,” and prohibitions against “killing” and “stealing” (just to name some), have been ingrained into our moral and “religious” consciences.

Because Jesus was born into a very good and holy Jewish family, we can be sure he too observed the Ten Commandments as he was raised in Nazareth, and as he later preached and performed miracles during his public ministry. Indeed, there are several Gospel references to Jesus’ affirmation of them (e.g., see Matthew 5:17-19 and 19:18-19). But while this is all certain, the focus of the message in today’s Gospel seems to place exceptional emphasis on the virtue of love as a prerequisite to observance of the Commandments. This is a very serious teaching!

We’re supposed to understand if we love Jesus, and we’re loved by the Father, then we’ll also “love our neighbors as ourselves” (see Mark 12:31). Jesus certainly modeled this throughout his entire earthly life. But as we seek to follow him, to observe the Commandments, and to remain always faithful, it can get a little challenging for those of us who are sinners! Frankly, it might just be easier not to love others as we are called to do . . . Let’s be honest and admit we might’ve harbored inordinate resentments, angers, hatreds, and the like towards others, especially those who’ve “done us wrong” (and this is probably true in things both great and small). It’s not that such people shouldn’t take responsibility for their poor behaviors and actions when they’ve caused us harm, but Jesus teaches us to replace all of our possible reactionary negative sentiments with “Godly love.” No doubt this is probably one of the most challenging “commandments” placed upon us, but it’s what Jesus calls us to do.

Oh yes, certainly there are “do’s” and “don’ts” imposed upon “religious people,” but Jesus reminds us love is the starting point for observing all the rules. Therefore, as people who constantly seek to love Jesus, and who desire to be loved by the Father, we know that same love must motivate every single Commandment we observe. As such, and as people enveloped in this “Godly love,” we are truly called “to love our neighbors as ourselves!” My friends, without doing so, I believe it’s just about impossible for us really to love God. And so, as those who do and don’t, let’s first be people motivated by supreme virtue of love! Let’s encourage each other with this message!

Praise God! Friar Timothy


     Find me on Facebook by clicking on the following link: http://www.facebook.com/frayteo